1.2.5

Binary Fission

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Binary Fission

Prokaryotes, such as bacteria, replicate by binary fission. For unicellular organisms, cell division is the only method to produce new individuals.

Illustrative background for 1) Replication of genetic materialIllustrative background for 1) Replication of genetic material ?? "content

1) Replication of genetic material

  • Binary fission in prokaryotic cells involves replication of the circular DNA and of plasmids.
Illustrative background for 2) Migration of genetic materialIllustrative background for 2) Migration of genetic material ?? "content

2) Migration of genetic material

  • The two sets of genetic material migrate towards opposite poles.
Illustrative background for 3) Cytoplasm begins to divideIllustrative background for 3) Cytoplasm begins to divide ?? "content

3) Cytoplasm begins to divide

  • The cytoplasmic contents must be divided to give both new cells the machinery to sustain life.
Illustrative background for 4) Formation of daughter cellsIllustrative background for 4) Formation of daughter cells ?? "content

4) Formation of daughter cells

  • Two daughter cells are formed, each with a single copy of the circular DNA and a variable number of plasmid copies.
  • Daughter cells are genetically identical to the parent cells and identical to each other.
  • The only difference between the daughter cells is the number of plasmid copies in each cell.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

2Molecular Biology

3Genetics

4Ecology

5Evolution & Biodiversity

6Human Physiology

7AHL: Nucleic Acids

8AHL: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis

9AHL: Plant Biology

9.1Transport in the Xylem of Plants

9.2Transport in the Phloem of Plants

9.3Growth in Plants

10AHL: Genetics & Evolution

11AHL: Animal Physiology

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