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Binary Fission

Binary fission is a type of asexual reproduction in which one cell divides into two daughter cells.

In one line: Binary means two, so one cell becomes two.

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Understand it

In binary fission, the parent cell first copies its genetic material and then splits into two nearly equal parts. This is a fast and efficient method in simple unicellular organisms. Amoeba and bacteria are common examples taught at Class 10 level.

Example

Amoeba divides into two daughter cells by binary fission when conditions are favourable.

Rule to remember

Binary fission means one parent cell divides into two daughter cells after DNA replication.

See it worked out

Follow the example line by line, then use the same method on new questions.

Worked example

  1. 1If a bacterium divides once and produces two similar bacteria, that is binary fission.
  2. 2If each daughter cell divides again, the number of bacteria increases very quickly.

Method you can reuse

  1. 1Identify a unicellular parent.
  2. 2Check whether the nucleus copies first.
  3. 3See whether the cell splits into two equal parts.
  4. 4Name the process as binary fission.

Visual tip

A labelled sequence showing one cell, copied nucleus, and two daughter cells is enough for revision.

Check yourself

Answer the question in your head before opening the answer.

Try it yourself

An Amoeba copies its nucleus and then divides into two daughter cells. Which process is happening?

Think first, then show answer
This is binary fission. One parent cell divides into two daughter cells after copying its genetic material.

Common wrong answer

A common wrong answer is budding, because both are asexual. But budding forms a small outgrowth, while binary fission makes two similar halves.

Don't mix this up

Students sometimes think the parent cell simply vanishes before offspring form. In reality, the cell divides into two living daughter cells.

Exam tip

Remember the word binary, which means two. It helps you recall that one parent cell forms two daughter cells.

Write it in the exam

Each point is worth about one mark. Write point 1 for a 1-mark question and keep adding points as the marks go up.

How CBSE asks it

Questions may ask you to name the process in Amoeba, write its steps, or compare binary fission with budding.
  1. 1

    Enough for 1 mark

    Binary fission is a type of asexual reproduction in which one cell divides into two daughter cells.

  2. 2

    Add for 2 marks

    Example: Amoeba divides into two daughter cells by binary fission when conditions are favourable.

  3. 3

    Add for 3 marks

    In binary fission, the parent cell first copies its genetic material and then splits into two nearly equal parts.

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