Binary Fission

• What is the process called by which prokaryotic cells reproduce?

  Binary fission
• What happens to the circular DNA during binary fission?

  It replicates before the cell divides
• What occurs after the circular DNA strands move to opposite poles of the cell?

  The cytoplasm begins to divide
• How many daughter cells are produced from binary fission?

  Two daughter cells
• What does each daughter cell receive after binary fission?

  One copy of the circular DNA
• What factors can lead to rapid bacterial division?

  Warm environment and lots of nutrients
• How quickly can E. coli replicate under optimal conditions?

  As little as 20 minutes
• What happens to bacteria if conditions become unfavorable?

  They stop dividing and begin to die
• What is the mean division time?

  The average time for one cell to divide
• If a bacterial cell has a mean division time of 30 minutes, how many divisions occur in 150 minutes?

  5 divisions
• How many cells are produced after 5 divisions starting from one cell?

  32 cells
• What is the process of binary fission in prokaryotic cells?

  1. Circular DNA and plasmids replicate
  2. Cell enlarges and DNA moves to poles
  3. Cytoplasm begins to divide
  4. New cell walls form
  5. Cytoplasm divides, producing two daughter cells
• What is the formula to calculate the number of cells produced after divisions?

  2 raised to the power of divisions
• How many cells will a single E. coli cell produce in 2 hours and 40 minutes if its mean division time is 20 minutes?

  32 cells
• What are the implications of binary fission for bacterial populations?

  • Rapid population growth under favorable conditions
  • Potential for exponential increase in numbers
  • Importance in understanding bacterial infections and treatments