Which process relies on F plasmid for genetic recombination?

Conjugation is the process that relies on the F plasmid for genetic recombination. During conjugation, a donor bacterium transfers genetic material to a recipient bacterium through direct cell-to-cell contact. The F plasmid, or fertility plasmid, plays a crucial role in this process because it contains genes that allow for the formation of a pilus, which facilitates the transfer of DNA.

When a bacterium carrying an F plasmid conjugates with a recipient bacterium that lacks this plasmid, it transfers a copy of the plasmid along with any additional genes that may be present on it. This transfer results in genetic variation within bacterial populations, contributing to processes like antibiotic resistance or metabolic adaptations.

In contrast, transformation involves the uptake of free DNA from the environment, while transduction requires a bacteriophage to transfer genetic material between bacteria. Replication is the process by which DNA is duplicated before cell division and does not involve the transfer of genetic material between different cells.