pilus

(noun)

a hairlike appendage found on the cell surface of many bacteria

Related Terms

Examples of pilus in the following topics:

  • Prokaryotic Reproduction

    • In conjugation, DNA is transferred from one prokaryote to another by means of a pilus, which brings the organisms into contact with one another.
    • In (c) conjugation, DNA is transferred from one cell to another via a mating bridge that connects the two cells after the pilus draws the two bacteria close enough to form the bridge.

  • Horizontal Gene Transfer

    • Conjugation: the use a hollow tube called a pilus to transfer genes between organisms.