Answer:
The correct answer is C.) conjugation
Step-by-step explanation:
Bacteria can not reproduce sexually therefore to gain the variation in their genetics they take the help of horizontal gene transfer mechanism. These mechanisms include three processes called conjugation, transformation and transduction by which bacteria gain extra genetic material from outside.
Conjugation is the process by which one bacteria gets the genetic material from another bacteria by making contact with each other with the help of sex pilli present on their cell surface.
These sex pilus of bacteria joins together and allow the movement of genetic material from donor to recipient bacteria. Therefore, the right answer is C.) conjugation.