Pili

The first external structure is the pilus (plural: pili). A pilus is a thin, rigid fiber made of protein
that protrudes from the cell surface. The primary function of pili are to attach a bacterial cell to
specific surfaces or to other cells. But how does the pilus know exactly what surface to attach
to? Along the length of the pilus are adhesin proteins. The word 'adhesin' should remind you of
the word 'adhesive'! These molecules aid in the attachment of the pilus and are specific to the
target surface.

Bordetella pertussis is the bacteria that causes whooping cough. Bordetella has pili coated with
adhesins that can identify the mucosal surface of the respiratory tract and will stick to only that
surface, allowing it to adhere to and infect those cells.

Pili can also aid in attachment between bacterial cells. Some bacteria are able to produce
conjugation pili that allow for the transfer of DNA from one bacterial cell to another. Bacteria
have evolved the process of conjugation as a way to increase genetic variability. The cell with
the conjugation pilus attaches to another cell, connecting the cytoplasm of each cell and
allowing molecules of DNA to pass through the hollow pilus.