Final answer:
Conjugation is the biological process that involves the direct transfer of DNA from a donor (F+ cells) to a recipient (F- cells) among prokaryotes, with the help of the F plasmid and an F pilus, facilitating horizontal gene transfer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The direct transfer of DNA from a donor cell to a recipient cell is known as conjugation. This biological process occurs among prokaryotes, where the DNA is usually in the form of a plasmid. The F plasmid or fertility factor enables donor cells, designated as F+ cells, to form an F pilus. This pilus connects the F+ cell to the F- recipient cell, allowing the transfer of genetic material.
In Escherichia coli (E. coli), the genes that encode for the conjugation process are found on the F plasmid. These genes are not only responsible for forming the conjugation pilus but also for rolling circle replication, a method by which the plasmid DNA is replicated during the transfer process. Bacterial conjugation plays a crucial role in horizontal gene transfer (HGT), which is essential for genetic diversity and evolution among bacterial populations.