What is pilus and its functions
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Answer:
A pilus (Latin for “hair;” plural: pili) is a hairlike appendage found on the surface of many bacteria. The terms pilus and fimbria (Latin for “thread” or “fiber,” plural: fimbriae ) can be used interchangeably, although some researchers reserve the term pilus for the appendage required for bacterial conjugation.
A pilus is a thin, rigid fiber made of protein that protrudes from the cell surface. The primary function of pili are to attach a bacterial cell to specific surfaces or to other cells. ...
Some bacteria are able to produce conjugation pili that allow for the transfer of DNA from one bacterial cell to another.
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Answer:
The first external structure is the pilus (plural: pili). A pilus is a thin, rigid fiber made of protein that protrudes from the cell surface. The primary function of pili are to attach a bacterial cell to specific surfaces or to other cells. But how does the pilus know exactly what surface to attach to? Along the length of the pilus are adhesin proteins. The word 'adhesin' should remind you of the word 'adhesive'! These molecules aid in the attachment of the pilus and are specific to the target surface.
Bordetella pertussis is the bacteria that causes whooping cough. Bordetella has pili coated with adhesins that can identify the mucosal surface of the respiratory tract and will stick to only that surface, allowing it to adhere to and infect those cells.
Pili can also aid in attachment between bacterial cells. Some bacteria are able to produce conjugation pili that allow for the transfer of DNA from one bacterial cell to another. Bacteria have evolved the process of conjugation as a way to increase genetic variability. The cell with the conjugation pilus attaches to another cell, connecting the cytoplasm of each cell and allowing molecules of DNA to pass through the hollow pilus.