Changes

:''For conjugation in grammar, see [[Verb]].''

:''For conjugation in grammar, see [[Verb]].''

'''Conjugation''' is a temporary union of two [[organism|organisms]], usually [[bacteria]], for the purpose of [[DNA]] transfer.<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Biology''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998</ref> It is one of the three major ways in which [[genes]] can be transferred between different species (horizontal gene transfer), the others being [[transformation]] and [[transduction]]. Horizontal gene transfer is a major cause of [[antibiotic resistance]]; if a pathogenic bacterium picks up resistance genes by chance, and then is exposed to antibiotics, this causes [[natural selection]] and ensures that the resistant cells survive and multiply.  

'''Conjugation''' is a temporary union of two [[organism]]s, usually [[bacteria]], for the purpose of [[DNA]] transfer.<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Biology''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998</ref> It is one of the three major ways in which [[genes]] can be transferred between different species (horizontal gene transfer), the others being [[transformation]] and [[transduction]]. Horizontal gene transfer is a major cause of [[antibiotic resistance]]; if a pathogenic bacterium picks up resistance genes by chance, and then is exposed to antibiotics, this causes [[natural selection]] and ensures that the resistant cells survive and multiply.  

Conjugation between two cells of the same bacterial species involves a thin tube joining the cells and transferring DNA, but when two different species are involved the bacteria form a larger structure called a protoplast, where the cell walls form the bridge between the cells.

Conjugation between two cells of the same bacterial species involves a thin tube joining the cells and transferring DNA, but when two different species are involved the bacteria form a larger structure called a protoplast, where the cell walls form the bridge between the cells.