Final answer:
Type IV pili are flexible protein appendages on bacteria that play roles in cell attachment, motility, and genetic material transfer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Type IV pili are protein appendages found on the surface of certain bacteria. They are relevant to discussions about bacterial structure and function in the context of cell attachment and genetic material transfer. The question asks about the characteristics of Type IV pili. Specifically, Type IV pili tend to be flexible, which allows them to make contact with a surface or other cells, participate in 'twitching motility', and play a role in the formation of biofilms and the transfer of genetic material between bacterial cells. Unlike cellulose with its rigid α-1,4 glycosidic linkages, Type IV pili exhibit flexibility, which is a critical feature for their function.