Study GuidePlant Biology–Prokaryotes and Viruses1. ReproductionBacteria reproduce mainly byasexual reproduction, which means only one parent cell is involved. Inthis process, a single bacterial cell divides into two new cells.Even though bacteria do not reproduce sexually like plants or animals, theycan exchange geneticmaterial (DNA)with each other. These methods are much simpler than the complex processes ofmitosis and meiosisseen in eukaryotic cells.1.1Asexual ReproductionBacteria use several types of asexual reproduction. The three most common ones are explainedbelow.1.1.1. Binary Fission (Most Common)This is the main way bacteria reproduce.•First, the bacterial chromosome copies itself.•The two copies move to opposite ends of the cell.•The cell wall then grows inward and splits the cell into two identical cells.•There isno mitosis and no microtubulesinvolved.•The entire process is very fast and usually takes30 minutes to 3 hours.1.1.2. Fragmentation•This occurs in bacteria that grow in long chains or filaments.•The filament breaks into smaller pieces.•Each fragment can grow into a complete new bacterial cell.Preview Mode
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