What describes the mechanism in which plasmids move between bacterial cells?

The mechanism in which plasmids move between bacterial cells is known as conjugation. This process involves direct physical contact between two bacteria, typically through a structure called a pilus. During conjugation, one bacterium (the donor) transfers a copy of its plasmid to another bacterium (the recipient). This transfer allows the recipient to gain new genetic traits, such as antibiotic resistance or the ability to metabolize different compounds, contributing to genetic diversity among bacterial populations.

In contrast, transduction refers to the transfer of genetic material between bacteria via bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria), while transformation involves the uptake of naked DNA from the environment by a bacterial cell. Replication, on the other hand, is the process by which a cell copies its DNA, but it does not involve the transfer of plasmids between cells. Thus, conjugation is the specific mechanism of plasmid transfer between bacteria, making it the correct answer.