What is binary fission?
Q: What is binary fission?
A: Binary fission is a form of asexual reproduction in which a single parent cell splits into two daughter cells with identical genetic material.
Q: What organisms use binary fission for reproduction?
A: Binary fission is most commonly used by prokaryotes such as bacteria, and some single-celled eukaryotes like the Amoeba and Paramoecium.
Q: How does binary fission work?
A: During binary fission, the fully grown parent cell replicates its genetic material and then divides into two equal sized daughter cells. The DNA molecule divides and forms two molecules that move towards opposite sides of the bacterium while the cell membrane also divides to form two daughter cells. After division, the new cells grow and the process repeats itself.
Q: Is mitosis similar to binary fission?
A: While both processes involve splitting one cell into two, mitosis is more complicated than binary fission since it occurs in eukaryotic tissue cells.
Q: Are mutations possible during replication in binary fission?
A: Yes, mutations can occur during replication in binary fission which would make the resulting daughter cells genetically different from each other.
Q: Does every organism use binary fission for reproduction?
A: No, not all organisms use binary fusion for reproduction; some organisms reproduce through sexual means or other forms of asexual reproduction such as budding or fragmentation.
