Conjugation

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Conjugation (Medicine)

Conjugation (pronunciation: /ˌkɒndʒʊˈɡeɪʃən/) is a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer that is seen in various species of bacteria. This process involves the transfer of genetic material from a donor bacterium to a recipient bacterium through direct contact.

Etymology

The term "conjugation" is derived from the Latin word "conjugare", which means "to join together". In the context of biology and medicine, it refers to the joining of two bacteria for the purpose of genetic exchange.

Process

In the process of conjugation, a pilus (a hair-like appendage on the surface of the bacterium) is formed by the donor bacterium. The pilus attaches to the recipient bacterium, creating a bridge between the two cells. The donor bacterium then transfers a copy of a plasmid (a small, circular piece of DNA) to the recipient bacterium through this bridge. This process can result in the spread of antibiotic resistance among bacteria.

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