Describe bacterial conjugation.

Bacterial conjugation is a process by which bacteria transfer genetic material, such as plasmids, from one bacterium to another through direct cell-to-cell contact. During conjugation, a donor bacterium containing a plasmid with the desired genetic material forms a physical bridge, called a pilus, with a recipient bacterium. The plasmid is then transferred from the donor bacterium to the recipient bacterium through this pilus.

Conjugation allows bacteria to exchange genetic material, such as antibiotic resistance genes, and can contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance among bacterial populations. This process is important for bacterial evolution and adaptation to changing environments.