Binary fission and budding are also forms of asexual reproduction, which means the exact same DNA is passed on, sometimes called a clone. There is no need for another bacterium to swap DNA in asexual reproduction, but this makes it hard for bacteria to evolve. Therefore, they use conjugation to exchange DNA between two different bacteria. Conjugation is a little more complicated than binary fission or budding. It actually involves two bacteria. One bacterium extends a pilus, or long tubule used to exchange DNA, to the other bacterium. They swap some of their DNA, the pilus is retracted and the bacteria are on their way, having picked up traits from each other, traits that will help them adapt better to different environments.

About the Author

Rebekah Shaffer Rebekah Shaffer is currently a Junior at Slippery Rock University, PA. She is pursuing her B.S. in Biology, minor in Chemistry. She currently works as a microbiology lab assistant at Slippery Rock University and is a member of Beta Beta Beta Biology Honorary Society. She plans to obtain her Ph.D. in Molecular/Cellular Biology after completing her undergraduate degree.