Name: how cells split by binary fission
Uploaded: 2026-05-28T09:04:15.895Z
Duration: 1 min 20 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

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North Carolina K-12 Science Standard Course of Study

9-12

Biology

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From Molecules to Organisms- Structures and Processes

LS.Bio.2.1

Binary Fission

Prokaryotes propagate via cell division, albeit by using a different process than eukaryotes, one that&#x27;s asexual, forming two genetically identical clones of itself. This type of reproduction is termed binary fission, meaning division in half.

To divide, the cell first replaces its DNA, copying the chromosome from its origin of replication, an area near chromosomal contact with the cell plasma membrane. Replication enzymes copy the chromosome bidirectionally, moving in opposite directions from the origin to create two double-stranded chromosomes.

As replication occurs, both chromosomes begin to move away from each other, to opposite sides of the cell. The cell itself lengthens, spurring chromosomal or nucleoid separation.

Once the chromosomes have moved to opposite sides, cytoplasmic separation, cytokinesis can begin. Now a ring of self-assembling proteins forms at the cell midpoint, directing the formation of a septum ring, a developing cell wall from the midpoint peripheries to the middle.

When the septum is finished developing, it pinches off the cell, splitting to yield two identical daughter cells.

binary fission

Fission is the division of a single entity into two or more parts, which regenerate into separate entities that resemble the original. Organisms in the Archaea and Bacteria domains reproduce using binary fission, in which a parent cell splits into two parts that can each grow to the size of the original parent cell. This asexual method of reproduction produces cells that are all genetically identical.

<h4>The speed of Bacterial Fission</h4>

Though its speed varies among species, binary fission is generally rapid and can yield staggering growth. In the amount of time it takes bacterial cells to undergo binary fission, the number of cells in the bacterial culture doubles. Thus, this period is the doubling time. For example, Escherichia coli cells typically divide every 20 minutes. Bacterial growth, however, is limited by factors including nutrient and space availability. Thus, binary fission occurs at much lower rates in bacterial cultures that have encountered a growth-limiting factor (i.e., entered a stationary growth phase).

<h4>Fission of Organelles in Eukaryotic Cells</h4>

In addition to organisms in the Archaea and Bacteria domains, some organelles in eukaryotic cells also reproduce via binary fission. Mitochondria, for example, divide by prokaryotic binary fission. This process requires the division of mitochondrial proteins and DNA.

Fission is the division of a single entity into two or more parts, which regenerate into separate entities that resemble the original. Organisms in the ...

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Cellular Processes

Cell Cycle and Division

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Learn by watching this video about Binary Fission in Biological Systems at JoVE.com

how cells split by binary fission

Binary fission is a common way that bacteria and archaea reproduce. In this process, one parent cell divides into two parts. Each new cell can then grow to the size of the original parent cell. This is an asexual form of reproduction, so the cells produced are genetically identical.

Binary fission can happen very fast. In the time it takes one bacterial cell to divide, the number of cells in the culture doubles. That time is called the doubling time. Escherichia coli cells often divide every 20 minutes, but the rate can vary by species.

Bacterial growth does not stay fast forever. It can slow when nutrients or space run low. When this happens, the culture enters a stationary growth phase, and binary fission occurs at a much lower rate.

Some organelles in eukaryotic cells also reproduce by binary fission. Mitochondria are one example. Their division uses prokaryotic binary fission and requires the division of mitochondrial proteins and DNA.

How Cells Split by Binary Fission

what is the cell cycle?

Cell Cycle Checkpoints and Cancer

The cell cycle is the set of steps a eukaryotic cell follows as it grows and divides. In somatic cells, it has two main stages: interphase and the mitotic phase. During interphase, the cell grows, carries out its basic metabolic functions, copies its DNA, and gets ready for mitotic cell division. After interphase, the cell enters mitosis and cytokinesis. Mitosis divides the nuclear material, and cytokinesis divides the cytoplasm. These steps produce two daughter cells that are identical to the...

genomic dna in prokaryotes

Prokaryote Chromosomes and Plasmids

Most prokaryotes store their DNA in one circular chromosome inside the nucleoid, a region of cytoplasm. This chromosome is double-stranded and tightly wound, or supercoiled, so it fits efficiently inside the cell. Prokaryotes also carry smaller circular DNA pieces called plasmids. Plasmids often carry genes that give bacteria helpful traits. One important example is antibiotic resistance. Bacteria can gain these plasmids and the traits they carry, which can help them adapt to changing...

Binary fission is a common way that bacteria and archaea reproduce. In this process, one parent cell divides into two parts. Each new cell can then grow to the size of the original parent cell. This is an asexual form of reproduction, so the cells produced are genetically identical. Binary fission can happen very fast. In the time it takes one bacterial cell to divide, the number of cells in the culture doubles. That time is called the doubling time. Escherichia coli cells often divide every...

genomic dna in eukaryotes

How Eukaryotic DNA Fits Inside the Nucleus

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interphase

Interphase in the Cell Growth Cycle

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mitosis and cytokinesis

Cell Cycle Stages in Mitosis

Cell cycle stages in mitosis show how a eukaryotic cell copies its DNA and then divides into two daughter cells. The cycle is controlled by regulatory systems and by outside signals that affect cell growth and division. In typical human cells, the full cycle takes about 24 hours and includes two major phases. The first is DNA replication during the S phase of interphase. The second is the mitotic, or M, phase, which includes mitosis and cytokinesis. G1 and G2 are the gap stages between these...

positive regulator molecules

Cyclins and CDKs in the Cell Cycle

Cyclins and CDKs help control the cell cycle, the process that produces daughter cells. Cells use internal checkpoints to make sure their size, energy reserves, and DNA are ready before they move forward. At these checkpoints, positive regulators help the cell continue, while negative regulators slow or stop it. The main positive regulators are cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, or CDKs. These proteins are found in eukaryotes, from yeast to humans. Cyclins are grouped by the stage they help...

negative regulator molecules

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Cell cycle stop signals help control when a cell can move forward through division. Negative regulators pause or end the cell cycle until the cell meets the right conditions. Three well-studied negative regulators are p53, p21, and retinoblastoma protein, or Rb. Their roles became clear after faulty versions were found in cancer cells that kept replicating uncontrollably. These proteins act mostly at the G1 checkpoint, which comes early in the cell cycle. P53 has a strong effect on whether a...

cancer

Cancer Treatment, Personalization, and Cell Growth

Cancer develops when mutations affect genes that control cell division. Those changes can remove the normal brakes on growth and lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have improved how cancer is understood and treated, and some patients can now be cured. There is still no single cure for cancer because cancer is not one disease. It is a large group of many diseases. Even when two people have the same mutation in an oncogene or a tumor suppressor gene, their...

key terms and concepts

Learn how bacteria and archaea use binary fission to reproduce, why bacterial growth can double quickly, and how mitochondria divide in eukaryotic cells.

How Cells Split by Binary Fission | JoVE K12

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Pennsylvania State Academic Standards

Life Science

Inheritance and Variation of Traits

3.1.9-12.Q

Structure and Function

3.1.9-12.A

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HIgh School

BIO.3

BIO.3.c

LS.2

LS.2.d

Florida Department of Education

High School

SC.912.L.16

SC.912.L.16.15

new-york-state-science-learning-standards

New York State Science Learning Standards

HS-LS1-4.

Georgia Standards of Excellence

SB1.b

Next Generation Science Standards

From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

HS-LS1-4

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LS.Bio.1.3

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LS.Bio.1.4

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LS.Bio.1.5

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How Cells Split by Binary Fission

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