In the process of binary fission, an organism duplicates its genetic material, or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and then divides into two parts (cytokinesis), with each new organism receiving one copy of DNA.

What kind of cell division is binary fission?

Binary fission and mitosis are both forms of asexual reproduction in which a parent cell divides to form two identical daughter cells. Binary fission occurs primarily in prokaryotes (bacteria), while mitosis only occurs in eukaryotes (e.g., plant and animal cells).

Is binary fission the same as cell division?

Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction which single-celled organisms, usually prokaryotes, use to create a copy of themselves. Another term for the process is cellular cloning. Mitosis is cell division that results in two identical daughter cells and is primarily used for growth of an organism.