Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

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What is binary fission?

  1. A process that involves sexual reproduction in fungi

  2. A method of cellular respiration under anaerobic conditions

  3. A form of asexual reproduction in which the parent divides into two identical halves

  4. A type of cell division in eukaryotic cells

The correct answer is: A form of asexual reproduction in which the parent divides into two identical halves

Binary fission is defined as a form of asexual reproduction in which a single parent organism divides into two identical daughter cells, each containing a copy of the parent’s genetic material. This process is primarily observed in prokaryotic organisms, such as bacteria, where it serves as an efficient means of reproduction without the need for a partner or complex reproductive structures. During binary fission, the cell undergoes a series of steps that include DNA replication, elongation, and division, ultimately resulting in two genetically identical cells. Understanding binary fission is important as it highlights a key method of reproduction in microorganisms and reflects the simplicity and efficiency of asexual reproduction compared to sexual reproduction methods seen in other organisms.