| 1. | a sex-determining chromosome or gene. |
| 2. | Also called F factor, fertility factor. a plasmid in certain bacteria that enables transfer of genetic material from a donor cell to a recipient by conjugation, resulting in recombination. |
| sex factor n. A bacterial plasmid that enables one bacterium to donate its genetic material to another bacterium by conjugation, resulting in genetic recombination. Also called fertility factor, f factor. |