Which plasmid is specialized to contain the DNA for producing a pilus?

Which plasmid is specialized to contain the DNA for producing a pilus?

• A. R Plasmid
• B. Col Plasmid
• C. F Plasmid
• D. Chromosomal Plasmid

Answer: (C)

The ability to produce a pilus for DNA transfer during bacterial conjugation is carried by the Fertility plasmid, known as the F plasmid. It contains the tra region that encodes the machinery for assembling the F pilus and establishing contact with a recipient cell, enabling transfer of the plasmid (and sometimes chromosomal DNA when integrated as an Hfr strain). This pilus-specific function is what makes it the plasmid specialized for pilus production. R plasmids carry antibiotic resistance genes, Col plasmids encode colicins or related factors, and a “chromosomal plasmid” isn’t a matching category for pilus formation.

The ability to produce a pilus for DNA transfer during bacterial conjugation is carried by the Fertility plasmid, known as the F plasmid. It contains the tra region that encodes the machinery for assembling the F pilus and establishing contact with a recipient cell, enabling transfer of the plasmid (and sometimes chromosomal DNA when integrated as an Hfr strain). This pilus-specific function is what makes it the plasmid specialized for pilus production. R plasmids carry antibiotic resistance genes, Col plasmids encode colicins or related factors, and a “chromosomal plasmid” isn’t a matching category for pilus formation.