Edit page | Page history | Printable version

F-factor

(Science: molecular biology) a small piece of episomal bacterial dna (plasmid) which provides bacteria with the ability to initiate conjugation (bacterial mating) with other nearby bacteria.

It can be present as extrachromosomal protein or integrated into the bacterial chromosome, and effectively determines the 'sex' of the bacterium, host chromosome mobilization, transfer via conjugation of genetic material, and the formation of sex pili.

During conjugation, the f-factor is copied and passed on to the other bacterium so that it acquires the ability to initiate conjugation also.