Binary Fission

Question 1

What is binary fission?

Answer 1

A process that allows prokaryotic cells to reproduce. It’s a type of cell division for prokaryotes.

Question 2

What are the 4 steps of binary fission?

Answer 2

First, the circular DNA and plasmids replicate.

The cell then gets bigger and the circular DNA strands move to opposite ‘poles’ of the cell.

The cytoplasm begins to divide and new cell walls begin to form.

The cytoplasm then divides and 2 daughter cells are produced. Each daughter cell has one copy of the circular DNA, but can have a various number of copies of the plasmids

Question 3

What are the good conditions for bacteria (to allow it to divide).

Answer 3

Warn environment and lots of nutrients.

Question 4

What is the bacteria that can divide in under 20 minutes if under the right conditions?

Answer 4

E. Coli

Question 5

What happens to the cell if the conditions become unfavourable?

Answer 5

The cell stops dividing and will eventually start to die.