The process of transferring a certain
plasmid of
DNA known as the
F plasmid (or sex
plasmid) from
bacteria individuals who have it (known as "males") to
bacteria individuals who do not already have it (known as "females") by way of direct contact between the
bacteria individuals called a conjugation bridge. Once transfer is completed, the female individual becomes a male individual and both parties have a copy of the
F plasmid.
From the BioTech Dictionary at http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/. For further information see the BioTech homenode.