1.8 - Binary Fission

• What is binary fission?

  process by which prokaryotic organisms, like bacteria, divide and reproduce.
• Because bacteria are a unicellular organism, when they divide by binary fission the are also asexually reproducing.
• What two things must a bacterial cell do before it can divide?

  Grow

  Replicate its genetic material
• Once a bacterial cell has grown and replicated its genetic material, it is ready to divide by binary fission. Describe the stages of this process.

  The two circular strands of DNA move to opposite sides of the cell.

  A new cell wall from down the middle of the cell is formed.

  The two halves pull apart to form two cells.
• During binary fission, are the plasmids always split equally between the two new cells?

  No
• What is the mean division time?

  The average time it takes for a bacterial cell to divide
• How do you work out the size of a population of bacteria?

  mean division time /

  total time to take = amount of cycles

  
  

  amount of bacterial cells x 2^amount of cycles
• What are the three conditions bacteria require for fast growth?

  Plenty of nutrients

  Warm

  Moist