Final answer:
The elongated, hollow appendage that bacteria use to transfer DNA between cells is called a pilus or F pilus. Conjugation is the process where DNA is directly transferred from one prokaryote to another by means of the F pilus. This process allows bacteria to exchange genetic material and increase their genetic variation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The elongated, hollow appendage that bacteria use to transfer DNA between cells is called a pilus or F pilus.
Conjugation is the process where DNA is directly transferred from one prokaryote to another by means of the F pilus. The F-plasmid genes encode the proteins composing the F pilus and those involved in rolling circle replication of the plasmid.
This process allows bacteria to exchange genetic material and increase their genetic variation, which has important implications in biotechnology and the spread of traits like antibiotic resistance.