Binary Fission

Steps of Binary Fission

Binary fission is a type of asexual reproduction where a cell divides in half (doubles). It takes place in single-celled prokaryotic organisms. However, there are some exceptions. For example, amoebas and paramecium go through binary fission as well. It has a similar role to mitosis, but instead of being used to replenish or grow the organisms new cells, it is used to reproduce the whole organism. Before binary fission takes place, the double helix is unzipped by an enzyme called helicase.

There are 4 steps in binary fission:

  1. 1. Replication of DNA:
      2. Initiation- The beginning of a biological process
      Elongation- The process of lengthening a biological entity
      Termination- The conclusion of the biological process where two new identical cells are formed .
  2. 2. Growth: The cell elongates
      3. The DNA is pulled to the separate poles of the cell
  3. 3. Segregation: Cleavage forms in the middle of the cell
      4. A new growing cell wall starts to separate
  4. 4. Splitting: Divides into two
      5. The cell becomes two daughter cells
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