Chapter 20, Problem 6SQ

Summary Introduction

Introduction: An extrachromosomal DNA present in a bacterial cell (other than the linear DNA) is called as plasmids. Plasmids are extremely small, circular, and dsDNA that can be passed to other cells. The process of transfer of plasmids between the cells is called as conjugation. Conjugation between cells occurs through a small bridge present across two cells called as pilus (sex pili). The plasmid-containing cells are called as F+ cells. The plasmid is transferred from F+ to F- cells through sex pilus.