Asexual Reproduction in Prokaryotes Binary Fission Asexual Reproduction in Prokaryotes

What is a Prokaryote? An organism that lacks a true nucleus in its cell Most are unicellular organisms Bacteria Archea

Binary Fission Asexual reproduction Cell division Prokaryotes Each offspring is genetically identical to its parent E. coli – under optimal conditions – can complete this process in 20 minutes!

Binary Fission

Binary Fission – Step 1 The cell wall prepares for replication. The cell wall starts to rupture.

The cell makes a copy of its single, circular chromosome. Binary Fission – Step 2 The cell makes a copy of its single, circular chromosome.

Binary Fission – Step 3 The cell grows larger and the chromosomes separate and move to opposite poles of the cell. The cell membrane begins to pinch inward, separating the two identical chromosomes.

Cytokinesis occurs and two identical bacterium exist. Binary Fission – Step 4 Cytokinesis occurs and two identical bacterium exist.