Pili are structures necessary for conjugation.

Pili are structures necessary for conjugation.

• A. Mitochondria
• B. Microtubules
• C. Pili
• D. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Answer: (C)

Conjugation requires direct cell-to-cell contact to transfer DNA between bacteria, and a specialized pilus makes that contact possible. The sex pilus extends from a donor cell, attaches to a recipient, and then retracts to pull the cells together, forming a mating pair through which DNA can be passed via a conjugation bridge. This transfer is typically of plasmid DNA and is enabled by the pilus encoded on the conjugative plasmid (such as the F plasmid in E. coli). Without this bridge, the donor and recipient would not establish the stable contact needed for DNA to move between them. Other structures like mitochondria, microtubules, and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum are not involved in bacterial DNA transfer between cells. Some pili serve adhesion or motility roles, but the sex pilus is the version specifically associated with conjugation.

Conjugation requires direct cell-to-cell contact to transfer DNA between bacteria, and a specialized pilus makes that contact possible. The sex pilus extends from a donor cell, attaches to a recipient, and then retracts to pull the cells together, forming a mating pair through which DNA can be passed via a conjugation bridge. This transfer is typically of plasmid DNA and is enabled by the pilus encoded on the conjugative plasmid (such as the F plasmid in E. coli). Without this bridge, the donor and recipient would not establish the stable contact needed for DNA to move between them. Other structures like mitochondria, microtubules, and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum are not involved in bacterial DNA transfer between cells. Some pili serve adhesion or motility roles, but the sex pilus is the version specifically associated with conjugation.