Question

bacteria use a process of cell division called binary fission. this process is similar to mitosis. but mitosis is how organisms grow or replace old cells with new ones. binary fission, on the other hand, is how a bacterium reproduces. it replicates its genetic material, and then the cytoplasm splits in two.
a bacterium has just undergone binary fission. which of these is true?
choose one option:
○ it replaced its dna with new dna.
○ it grew larger and then died.
○ there are now two cells.
○ its dna disappeared.

Explanation:

• Analyze Option 1: Binary fission involves replicating genetic material (DNA is replicated, not replaced with new DNA), so this is false.
• Analyze Option 2: Binary fission is a reproductive process, not about growing and dying; the bacterium divides, not dies, so this is false.
• Analyze Option 3: Binary fission process: replicate genetic material, then cytoplasm splits into two. So after binary fission, there are two cells (the original divides into two), this is true.
• Analyze Option 4: DNA is replicated during binary fission, it does not disappear, so this is false.

Answer:

C. There are now two cells. (Assuming the third option is labeled C; if the original options have different labels, adjust the label but keep the text. Based on the options given, the correct one is "There are now two cells" as binary fission results in one bacterium dividing into two.)