Which bacterial fertility factor is responsible for the transfer of genetic material during conjugation?

• A. Col factor (colicinogenic factor)
• B. F factor (fertility factor)
• C. R factor (resistance factor)
• D. Ti plasmid (tumor-inducing plasmid)

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that bacterial conjugation is a process where genetic material is transferred from one bacterium to another through direct contact.
2. Identify the role of different plasmids: Col factor produces colicins (toxins), R factor carries antibiotic resistance genes, and Ti plasmid is involved in plant tumor formation.
3. Recognize that the F factor (fertility factor) is a specific plasmid that enables the formation of a pilus, which is essential for the physical connection between donor and recipient cells during conjugation.
4. Recall that the F factor contains genes that initiate the transfer of DNA, making it the key element responsible for genetic material transfer in bacterial conjugation.
5. Conclude that among the options, the F factor is the correct answer because it directly mediates the conjugation process.