Fission (biology)
Encyclopedia
In biology, fission is the subdivision of a cell (or body, population, or species) into two or more parts and the regeneration of those parts into separate cells (bodies, populations, or species). Binary fission produces two separate cells, populations, species, etc., whereas multiple fission produces more than two cells, populations, species, etc.
and cell division
used by all prokaryotes, (bacteria and archaebacteria), and some organelles within eukaryotic organisms. This process results in the reproduction of a living prokaryotic cell
(or organelle) by division into two parts that each have the potential to grow to the size of the original cell (or organelle).
This type of division takes place without the formation of spindles. The single DNA molecule first replicates, then attaches each copy to a different part of the cell membrane. When the cell begins to pull apart, the replicate and original chromosomes are separated.
The consequence of this asexual method of reproduction is that all the cells are genetically equal, i.e have the same genetic material.
of the parent cell divides several times by mitosis
, producing several nuclei. The cytoplasm then separates, creating multiple daughter cells. In apicomplexa
ns, multiple fission is known as Protozoal merogony (sometimes treated to be synonymous with schizogony), Merogony results in merozoites, which are multiple daughter cells within the same cell membrane.
Binary fission of prokaryotes
Prokaryotic fission, which is binary fission, is a form of asexual reproductionAsexual reproduction
Asexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction by which offspring arise from a single parent, and inherit the genes of that parent only, it is reproduction which does not involve meiosis, ploidy reduction, or fertilization. A more stringent definition is agamogenesis which is reproduction without...
and cell division
Cell division
Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells . Cell division is usually a small segment of a larger cell cycle. This type of cell division in eukaryotes is known as mitosis, and leaves the daughter cell capable of dividing again. The corresponding sort...
used by all prokaryotes, (bacteria and archaebacteria), and some organelles within eukaryotic organisms. This process results in the reproduction of a living prokaryotic cell
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
(or organelle) by division into two parts that each have the potential to grow to the size of the original cell (or organelle).
This type of division takes place without the formation of spindles. The single DNA molecule first replicates, then attaches each copy to a different part of the cell membrane. When the cell begins to pull apart, the replicate and original chromosomes are separated.
The consequence of this asexual method of reproduction is that all the cells are genetically equal, i.e have the same genetic material.
Multiple fission of protists
Multiple fission at the cellular level occurs in many protists. The nucleusCell nucleus
In cell biology, the nucleus is a membrane-enclosed organelle found in eukaryotic cells. It contains most of the cell's genetic material, organized as multiple long linear DNA molecules in complex with a large variety of proteins, such as histones, to form chromosomes. The genes within these...
of the parent cell divides several times by mitosis
Mitosis
Mitosis is the process by which a eukaryotic cell separates the chromosomes in its cell nucleus into two identical sets, in two separate nuclei. It is generally followed immediately by cytokinesis, which divides the nuclei, cytoplasm, organelles and cell membrane into two cells containing roughly...
, producing several nuclei. The cytoplasm then separates, creating multiple daughter cells. In apicomplexa
Apicomplexa
The Apicomplexa are a large group of protists, most of which possess a unique organelle called apicoplast and an apical complex structure involved in penetrating a host's cell. They are unicellular, spore-forming, and exclusively parasites of animals. Motile structures such as flagella or...
ns, multiple fission is known as Protozoal merogony (sometimes treated to be synonymous with schizogony), Merogony results in merozoites, which are multiple daughter cells within the same cell membrane.
See also
- CytokinesisCytokinesisCytokinesis is the process in which the cytoplasm of a single eukaryotic cell is divided to form two daughter cells. It usually initiates during the late stages of mitosis, and sometimes meiosis, splitting a binucleate cell in two, to ensure that chromosome number is maintained from one generation...
, cell division in eukaryotes - Fission-fusion societyFission-fusion societyIn primatology, a fission-fusion society is one in which the social group, e.g. bonobo collectives of 100-strong, sleep in one locality together, but forage in small groups going off in different directions during the day. This form of social organization occurs in several other species of...
, a type of social organization that is notable among primates