Many bacteria are able to pass small pieces of the hereditary information on their DNA from one bacterial cell to another. This can sometimes result in an increase in the number of drug-resistant bacteria. What name is given to the process by which one bacteria transfers DNA to another? A) sporolysis B) conjugation C) gametic transfer D) haploid translocation

The correct answer is B: conjugation.

Conjugation is the process by which one bacteria (donor) transfers genetic material (usually a plasmid) to another bacteria (recipient). This occurs through direct contact which can be cell-to-cell contact or by a bridge-like connection between two cells. Conjugation is a horizontal gene transfer but it is not a sexual reproduction.