Prokaryotic Cell Cycle

• Purpose of cellular replication
• Prokaryotic organisms


  • Typically unicellular
  • No membrane-bound organelles
  • Single, circular chromosome of DNA
  • Small, circular subunits of DNA called plasmids
• Cellular replication/division is essential for the survival of an organism
• Ultimate purposes of cellular replication

  • Growth and Development
  • Maintenance and Repair
  • Reproduction
• New cells are derived from pre-existing cells


  Zygote à Adult human
• Cells are constantly dying or being lost
• Cell division replaces lost/damaged cells
• Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes produce new cells to increase population size
• Cells replicate themselves exponentially
• Exponential growth


  Population of cells doubles after each round of division
• Binary fission


  Process of one cell dividing into 2 genetically identical daughter cells (copies of itself)
• Binary fission in prokaryotes

  1. Reproductive process of prokaryotes

  2. Form of asexual reproduction

  3. Genetically identical offspring

  4. No sexual partner needed