Question

Which statement BEST explains how binary fission maintains genetic continuity?



A.
Two cells form, one genetically identical to the parent and one different from the parent.

B.
Two cells form, each genetically identical to the other and to the parent.

C.
Two cells form, each having half of the genetic content of the parent.

D.
Two cells form, each having twice the genetic content of the parent.

Answer 1

B

In binary fission the cell's DNA is replicated and the cytoplasm divides so that each daughter cell receives an identical copy of the genome, producing two cells genetically identical to each other and to the parent (barring mutations).