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Why does binary fission on its own leave a bacterial population genetically uniform?
AIt produces clones with no recombination
BIt halves the chromosome before splitting
CIt relies on a pilus bridge each time
DIt always removes plasmids from the cell
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. It produces clones with no recombination
1. Reproduction in prokaryotes is asexual and usually takes place by binary fission.
2. The single circular chromosome is copied, the copies separate, and the cell pinches inward at its equator.
3. The two daughter cells are clones, so no recombination and no new diversity arise.
4. Diversity instead comes from mutation and from transformation, transduction and conjugation.
5. The chromosome is replicated rather than halved, and a pilus is used in conjugation, not in fission.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 22 "Prokaryotes: Bacteria and Archaea", section 22.2 Structure of Prokaryotes_
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