Chapter 6, Problem 1R

Summary Introduction

To describe:

The binary fission.

Introduction:

Binary fission is an asexual reproduction process in single-celled organisms. It resembles the concept of mitosis in eukaryotic organisms. In binary fission, a replication of DNA molecule is followed by the segregation which will occur. In some protists, the binary fission happens by dividing the cells either in transverse or longitudinal separation.

Explanation of Solution

Binary is a process by which a single cell is divided into equal halves. During this process, the parent cell is divided into two identical daughter cells by asexual mode of reproduction.

Prior to cell division,

• The cell becomes voluminous due to duplication of all its contents including DNA replication.
• Bacterial cell elongation occurs by formation of cross walls around the copies of DNA and septum from the center of the cell.
• The separation of the two identical daughter cells occurs by the binary division.

Finally, the parent cell divides and forms to identical daughter cells.

Conclusion

The binary division is the most common type of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes. In some, single-celled eukaryotes also undergo the binary division. The replicated identical daughter cells are non-mutated and are genetically identical by nature.