Question

What are the filaments called that help some bacteria stick to surfaces and exchange plasmids through conjugation?

Answer 1

Pili are the filaments that help some bacteria stick to surfaces and exchange plasmids through conjugation.

Pili are hollow, hair like appendages that are found on the surface of some bacterial cells. Pili are composed of a special protein (known as pilin). Pilia act as a means of attachment of bacteria to surfaces (such as their host) and it is also used by bacteria to exchange their genetic material (plasmids) in the mating process between cells (known as conjugation).

Answer 2

Answer:

The correct answer is pili or pilus.

Explanation:

The filaments or hair-like appendages found on the surface of the bacteria and help some bacteria stick to surfaces and exchange plasmids through conjugation. Pili attach itself to other bacteria surface and facilitate the transfer of genetic material. These pili are also known as sex-pili as it draws matting cells in close contact.