Mating bridge

A mating bridge, also known as a conjugation or population bridge, is a connection between two bacterial cells that provides a passageway for DNA in bacterial conjugation.

Bacterial Conjugation. Note that the sex pilus is a structure on the F+ cell whereas the mating bridge (not labeled) is the connection between the two bacteria.

A mating bridge is different from a sex pilus, which is a structure made by an F+ strain bacterium in bacterial conjugation. The pili (plural) act as attachment sites that promote the binding of bacteria to each other. In this way, an F+ strain makes physical contact with an F− strain. Once contact is made, the pili shorten and thereby draw the donor and recipient cells closer together. A conjugation bridge is then formed between the two cells, which provides a passageway for DNA transfer.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Brooker, Robert J (2012). Genetics: Analysis and Principles. New York: Janice Roerig-Blong. pp. 164, 165, G-4. ISBN 9780073525280.
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