What is transferred during bacterial conjugation?

During bacterial conjugation, genetic material such as plasmids or chromosomal DNA fragments is transferred. Conjugative plasmids, like the F plasmid in Escherichia coli, are most commonly transferred. These plasmids often carry genes for antibiotic resistance, virulence factors, or metabolic traits. In some cases, segments of chromosomal DNA can also be mobilized, especially when an F plasmid integrates into the chromosome, forming a high-frequency recombination (Hfr) cell.