Definition
noun, plural: F+ bacteria
A bacterium with F factor existing as a plasmid and not integrated in the bacterial genome.
Supplement
The F in F factor stands for fertility and the presence of F factor as a plasmid is the distinctive feature of F+ bacteria. During conjugation, F+ bacterium transfers a copy of F factor DNA with F– bacterium, making the latter capable of producing a sex pilus and thereby also making it capable of conjugation with other bacteria.
Compare (with other groups of bacteria in terms of F factor):
- Hfr bacteria
- F’ bacteria
- F– bacteria
See also:
