bacteria structure

Fimbriae

Hair-like structures that protrude from many bacterial cells and are involved in bacterial conjugation.

Pili

Structures that bacteria use to share and swap pieces of circular DNA called plasmid during conjugation.

Conjugation

The process by which bacteria transfer genetic material, specifically plasmids, between each other.

Biofilms

Communities of bacteria that can facilitate the conjugation process and the transfer of antibiotic resistance.

Endospores

Structures produced by some bacteria to survive unfavorable environmental conditions by entering a dormant state.