Cells As The Basis Of Life

1.6: Binary Fission and Mitosis

12BIO
This lesson covers

- What a metabolic pathway is and why molecules are broken down in

small, regulated steps.
- Factors that affect metabolic processes.
- The role of chemicals and poisons in metabolic inhibition.
The Division of Cells

The cell theory states that all cells arise

from pre-existing cells.

● As cells can only function for a finite

period of time, new cells need to be
produced.
● In cell division, genetic material (DNA)
is replicated and the new genetic
material is passed to the next
generation of cells.

Cells arise from pre-existing cells. Continuity of life requires the replication of
genetic material and its transfer to the next generation.
Cell Division and Growth

Cell division is important in the growth of a multicellular organism, or the

population of a unicellular species, in that it leads to an increase in cell number.

Cell division leads to an increase in cell number.

Types of Cell Division

Continuity of life requires the replication of genetic material and its transfer to
the next generation through processes including binary fission, mitosis, meiosis,
and fertilisation.
Somatic and Germ-line Cells
The type of division a cell
undergoes is dependent on the
cell type.

Multicellular organisms have

two main types of cells:
● Somatic Cells: Specialised
body cells.
● Germ-line Cells: Produce
sex cells (gametes)

Cell division in somatic cells is different from the cell division that produces
gametes from germ-line cells.
DNA Replication
Regardless of division type, DNA replication always occurs prior to cell
division.

● This ensures that every cell produced through cell division has a
complete copy of the entire genome.

Explain why the amount of DNA in a cell doubles before division.

Binary Fission
● Asexual cell division resulting in
reproduction of prokaryotic organisms.
● Two identical daughter cells arise.
● DNA replicates prior to division, and
condense into two identical circular
chromosomes.
● DNA attaches to cell membrane as the
cell elongates and begins to cleave at the
centre.
● The cells eventually divide and a new cell
membrane and cell wall forms.

Recognise, describe, and represent the process of binary fission in prokaryotic

cells. The products of binary fission have the same number and type of
chromosomes as the parent.
Mitosis

Asexual reproduction in eukaryotic cells is called mitosis and is a process that

is undertaken in various phases.

Recognise, describe, represent and name the phases of mitosis in eukaryotic

cells.
Phases of Mitosis

● Importantly, DNA replication occurs prior to mitosis occurring.

● The stage of the life cycle the cell is in (90% of the time) when it is not
dividing, is called interphase.

Recognise, describe, represent and name the phases of mitosis in eukaryotic

cells.
DNA Replication (eukaryotic cells)
Generally, DNA is found in linear strands which are often long and loose
called chromatin.
● After DNA replicates, it condenses by warping and
wrapping around proteins called histones.

Explain why the amount of DNA in a cell doubles before division.

Prophase

● The nuclear membrane breaks down and the

nucleolus disappears.
● Spindle fibres, structures made of microtubules,
begin to assemble from centrioles.

Recognise, describe, represent and name the phases of mitosis in eukaryotic

cells.
Metaphase

● Microtubules radiate from the centrioles and

attach to the centre of chromosomes, which line
up along the equator of the cell.

Recognise, describe, represent and name the phases of mitosis in eukaryotic

cells.
Anaphase

● Spindle fibres pull the identical chromosomes

apart and to each end of the cell.
● Each end of the cell receives one set of DNA,
and each set is identical.

Recognise, describe, represent and name the phases of mitosis in eukaryotic

cells.
Telophase

● Nuclei reform and cell begins to cleave at the

centre.
● Followed by the process of cytokinesis which is
the moment in which the cell splits into two.
● Both cells are identical to each other and to the
parent cell.

Recognise, describe, represent and name the phases of mitosis in eukaryotic

cells. The products of mitosis have the same number and type of chromosomes
as the parent.
Comparing Mitosis and Binary Fission
Area of comparison Binary Fission Mitosis

Type of cell Prokaryotic Eukaryotic

DNA replication prior to division Yes Yes

Nuclear division No Yes

Type(s) of chromosomes Single, circular Many, linear

Number of cells produced Two Two

Daughter cells Clones of parent cell Clones of parent cell

Spindle fibres involved No Yes

Growth if no restrictions Exponential Exponential

Compare the products of binary fission and mitotic division.