Encyclopedia.com > Dictionaries, Thesauruses, Pictures, and Press Releases > A Dictionary of Biology > January 2004

sex factor

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | 534 words | Copyright

sex factor A plasmid found in the cytoplasm of certain bacteria that is responsible for initiating conjugation and gene transfer. The sex factor in Escherichia coli is known as the F factor; it can be transferred from a donor cell (F+) to a recipient (F–) by conjugation. Occasionally the F factor may become integrated with the chromosome of an F+ bacterium to form a high-frequency recombinant (Hfr) cell. This enables the part of the host chromosome nearest to the F factor to be transferred to the recipient by conjugation.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"sex factor." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"sex factor." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-sexfactor.html

"sex factor." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-sexfactor.html

Learn more about citation styles

Find thousands of answers for hundreds of subjects at Answers Encyclopedia .

All answers verified by trusted sources at Encyclopedia.com

Try Answers Encyclopedia now!

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: