Binary fission

Question 1

What cells does binary fission occur in?

Answer 1

Prokaryotic cells

Question 2

Why is binary fission simpler than the cell cycle?

Answer 2

Prokaryotes don’t posses: A nucleus, chromosomes, membrane-bound organelles and spindle fibres

Question 3

What do prokaryotes have instead of a nucleus and chromosomes?

Answer 3

Single, circular DNA and plasmids. Plasmids are smaller and circular which are inherited and replicated

Question 4

What is a main difference compared to mitosis?

Answer 4

Prokaryotes have no nuclear envelope to break down and have no spindle fibres

Question 5

Binary fission step 1

Answer 5

Step 1) Single, circular DNA undergoes DNA replication and cell enlarged

Question 6

Binary fission step 2

Answer 6

Step 2) Plasmids undergo DNA replication

Question 7

Binary fission step 3

Answer 7

DNA migrated to opposite poles

Question 8

Binary fission step 4

Answer 8

Parent cell divides into two cells, cytoplasm divides into halves + cell wall and membrane

Question 9

Binary fission step 5

Answer 9

Step 5) Two identical daughter cells with a single copy of circular DNA and variable number of plasmids