What is the role of the F‑factor in conjugation? a. It allows auxotrophic bacterial cells to survive on minimal medium so that conjugation can occur. b. It contains genes necessary for the formation of the pilus. c. It contains genes that force recombination between the donor and recipient chromosomes. d. It degrades the chromosome of the recipient cell after conjugation. It contains genes necessary for replication of the donor's F plasmid.