Binary fission in prokaryotic cells: replication of circular DNA and plasmids; division of cytoplasm to produce two daughter cells
Bacteria divide by splitting in two — a process called binary fission. The cell copies its DNA first, then splits its cytoplasm to make two new daughter cells.
Formula
N(t) = N₀ × 2^(t/d)
Real World
E. coli, given in food poisoning cases like the 2011 German O104:H4 outbreak, can double every 20 minutes via binary fission — reaching millions of cells from a single bacterium within hours.
Exam Focus
Distinguish binary fission from mitosis: no spindle, no condensed chromosomes — state these differences explicitly when 'compare' is the command word.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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