conjugation [´kän·jǝ`gā·shǝn] BOTANY Sexual reproduction by fusion of two protoplasts in certain thallophytes to form a zygote. INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY Sexual reproduction by temporary union of cells with exchange of nuclear material between two individuals, principally ciliate protozoans. MICROBIOLOGY A process involving contact between two bacterial cells during which genetic material is passed from one cell to the other. |