What is the term for the division of a bacterial cell into two new cells?

What is the term for the division of a bacterial cell into two new cells?

• A. Binary Fission
• B. Mitosis
• C. Meiosis
• D. Replication

Answer: (A)

The term for the division of a bacterial cell into two new cells is known as binary fission. This process is a form of asexual reproduction commonly observed in prokaryotic organisms, such as bacteria. During binary fission, the bacterial cell undergoes a series of steps where it first duplicates its DNA and then elongates, ultimately splitting into two genetically identical daughter cells. This process is efficient and allows bacterial populations to grow rapidly under favorable conditions. Binary fission differs from mitosis and meiosis, which are processes of cell division that occur in eukaryotic cells. Mitosis is responsible for producing two identical diploid daughter cells from a single diploid cell, while meiosis leads to the formation of gametes with half the number of chromosomes, contributing to sexual reproduction. Replication generally refers to the copying of DNA rather than the process of cell division itself. Therefore, binary fission is the most accurate term to use in the context of bacterial cell division.

The term for the division of a bacterial cell into two new cells is known as binary fission. This process is a form of asexual reproduction commonly observed in prokaryotic organisms, such as bacteria. During binary fission, the bacterial cell undergoes a series of steps where it first duplicates its DNA and then elongates, ultimately splitting into two genetically identical daughter cells.

This process is efficient and allows bacterial populations to grow rapidly under favorable conditions. Binary fission differs from mitosis and meiosis, which are processes of cell division that occur in eukaryotic cells. Mitosis is responsible for producing two identical diploid daughter cells from a single diploid cell, while meiosis leads to the formation of gametes with half the number of chromosomes, contributing to sexual reproduction.

Replication generally refers to the copying of DNA rather than the process of cell division itself. Therefore, binary fission is the most accurate term to use in the context of bacterial cell division.