Binary Fission
Biology: IB Diploma Higher Level, topic 2.3.4
Binary Fission
Prokaryotes, such as bacteria, replicate by binary fission. For unicellular organisms, cell division is the only method to produce new individuals.
1) Replication of genetic material
- Binary fission in prokaryotic cells involves replication of the circular DNA and of plasmids.
2) Migration of genetic material
- The two sets of genetic material migrate towards opposite poles.
3) Cytoplasm begins to divide
- The cytoplasmic contents must be divided to give both new cells the machinery to sustain life.
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.
Test yourself on Binary Fission
What is replicated during binary fission?
Which of the following statements regarding binary fission is true?
What is the name of the process that prokaryotes use to divide?