Final answer:
F+ cells in conjugation contain the F plasmid and serve as donor cells, forming the F pilus to transfer genetic material to an F- recipient cell, which does not contain the F plasmid.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the process of conjugation, F+ cells are the donor cells which contain the F plasmid or fertility factor. These cells are capable of forming a conjugation pilus, known as the F pilus, and initiating the transfer of genetic material to an F- cell. The F+ cells play a crucial role in this transfer as they serve as the source of the plasmid DNA that is replicated and then transferred to the F- (recipient) cell, transforming it into an F+ cell capable of forming its own conjugation pilus to facilitate further DNA transfer.
F+ cells do not serve as recipient cells in conjugation, do not contain jumping genes, and are not restricted to transferring DNA only to other F+ cells—they can transfer DNA to F- cells which do not have the F plasmid.