Final answer:
Bacterial conjugation involving the F plasmid can occasionally lead to the transfer of chromosomal DNA between E. coli cells when an F plasmid integrates into a bacterial chromosome, forming an Hfr cell, or when an F' plasmid carrying chromosomal genes is transferred.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process involving an extra chromosomal F plasmid that carries E. coli chromosomal genes refers to a phenomenon observed in bacterial conjugation. When the F plasmid integrates into the bacterial chromosome, it can form an Hfr (High frequency of recombination) cell. During conjugation between an Hfr cell and an F- (recipient) cell, some of the host's chromosomal DNA trailing the plasmid may be transferred along with the F plasmid through the conjugation tube. This transfer of genes is utilized in experiments for mapping bacterial genes on a circular DNA chromosome. An F' plasmid may arise when the integrated F plasmid is imprecisely excised from the host chromosome, carrying with it some adjacent chromosomal DNA. The conjugation of an F+' cell with an F-' cell, and the subsequent transfer of the F plasmid, leads to the recipient cell becoming an F+ cell, capable of forming a conjugation pili and transferring genetic material to other F- cells.