What is the name of the process by which bacteria exchange genetic material through a pilus?

The process by which bacteria exchange genetic material through a pilus is known as conjugation. During conjugation, a donor bacterium extends a pilus to connect with a recipient bacterium, forming a direct pathway for the transfer of genetic material, usually in the form of plasmids. This mechanism is essential for genetic diversity among bacterial populations and can contribute to the spread of traits such as antibiotic resistance.

In contrast, transformation refers to the uptake of free DNA from the environment by a bacterium, while transduction involves the transfer of genetic material via bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria. Replication, on the other hand, refers to the process by which a bacterium copies its own DNA prior to cell division, not the exchange of genetic material between different cells. Understanding conjugation is important as it highlights the mechanisms bacteria use to adapt and evolve, impacting public health and antibiotic treatment strategies.