Bacterial Reproduction

Introduction

Bacteria can reproduce in one of two ways:

1. Asexually2.Sexually

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Asexual ReproductionBinary Fission:• one parent involved• offspring are identical to parent & each other

Advantages:1. simple: only 1 parent2. offspring are fully formed (no maturation needed)3. very fast (20 min. in ideal conditions)

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Asexual Reproduction

Disadvantages:• no genetic variety• one unfavourable environmental condition can wipe out

whole population

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Asexual Reproduction

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Binary Fission:

Sexual Reproduction• two parents involved• offspring are genetically different

to parents & to each otherAdvantages:

– genetic variety i.e. some are able to adapt to unfavourable conditions (ex: antibiotic resistance)

Disadvantages:1.more complex: slower because must find a compatible

partner

2.no new individuals produced (i.e. no increase in population)

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Bacterial Conjugation

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• plasmid copies itself• passes through pili (cytoplasmic bridge) into recipient cell

•cells separate with both cells containing the plasmid

plasmid

donor recipient cell (+) cell ( - )

pili