Question

question 3 of 13
what happens to the parent cell during binary fission?
○ it takes up dna, incorporates it, and then separates into two cells.
○ it elongates, replicates its dna, and divides in two.
○ it fuses with another parent cell to form two daughter cells.
○ it splits open, releases a daughter cell, and dissolves.
○ it quadruples its dna and other contents, and then divides in four.

Explanation:

Binary fission is a form of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes. The parent cell first elongates, replicates its single circular DNA molecule, then divides into two genetically identical daughter cells. The other options are incorrect: taking up external DNA describes transformation, fusing with another cell is sexual reproduction, splitting open and dissolving is not binary fission, and quadrupling DNA for four cells is not binary fission (which produces two cells).

Answer:

It elongates, replicates its DNA, and divides in two.