How do prokaryotic cells reproduce?
Prokaryotic cells reproduce asexually by binary fission, which is a process of cell
division in which the cell divides into two identical daughter cells. Binary fission starts
with the replication of the chromosome and is followed by the elongation of the cell.
Finally, the cell membrane pinches inward and divides the cell in half. Each daughter
cell contains a copy of the original chromosome.
The process of binary fission is rapid and allows prokaryotic cells to reproduce
quickly, which is an advantage in environments with limited resources. However,
there is a high risk of mutations during replication, which may lead to the evolution of
new strains of bacteria.
Some prokaryotic cells also have the ability to transfer genetic material through
conjugation, which is a type of horizontal gene transfer. During conjugation, a donor
cell transfers a plasmid to a recipient cell through a pilus (a thin, hair-like
appendage). The plasmid contains genetic information that can be incorporated into
the recipient cell's genome, allowing for the transfer of traits such as antibiotic
resistance.
Overall, prokaryotic cell reproduction is a rapid and efficient process that allows for
the rapid adaptation to changing environments. However, it also carries a risk of
mutations that can lead to the evolution of new strains of bacteria.
References:
1. Madigan, M. T., Martinko, J. M., Bender, K. S., Buckley, D. H., & Stahl, D. A. (2019).
Brock Biology of Microorganisms. Pearson.
2. Tiesenhausen, K., & Nouwen, N. (2014). Mechanisms of bacterial replication, repair and
recombination: a guide to the many roads to bacterial resilience. Microbiology and molecular
biology reviews: MMBR, 78(2), 173-208.