Bacterial conjugation is the transfer of genetic material between
bacterial cells by direct cell-to-cell contact or by a bridge-like connection
between two cells. This takes place through a pilus. It is a parasexual mode
of reproduction in bacteria.
It is a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer as are transformation and
transduction although these two other mechanisms do not involve cell-to-cell
contact.
Classical E. coli bacterial conjugation is often regarded as the bacterial
equivalent of sexual reproduction or mating since it involves the exchange of
genetic material.