plasmid conjugation

Plasmid conjugation is a process where bacteria transfer genetic material, called plasmids, directly from one cell to another through a connecting bridge. This transfer allows bacteria to share traits, such as antibiotic resistance, quickly and efficiently. Essentially, it’s like bacteria passing a copy of a specific set of instructions to their neighbor, enabling rapid adaptation and survival. This process plays a key role in bacterial evolution and the spread of resistance genes in microbial communities.