Bacteria – Reproduction Study Guide

Introduction:

The fact that bacteria are single-celled prokaryotic creatures prevents the existence of a male or female form of the organism. Bacteria reproduce asexually! When an asexual reproduction process is used, the ‘parent’ creates a genetically identical replica of themselves.

How do bacteria reproduce?

Binary fission is the asexual reproduction method used by bacteria, and it is the most common method.

• A single bacteria divides into two different cells, each unique.
• There are no differences between these cells or between them and their parent cells.
• The beginning of the fission process is marked by the replication of DNA in the parent bacterium. T
• here are two daughter cells formed as the cell becomes longer.

Temperature and the availability of nutrients affect reproduction in various ways, including the rate and timing of the process. E.coli, often known as Escherichia coli, produces roughly 2 million germs every seven hours under ideal circumstances. There are just a few highly uncommon cases of sexual reproduction occurring during bacterial reproduction.

Bacteria can undergo genetic recombination by conjugation, transformation, or transduction. As a result of the bacterium’s genetic diversity, it may likely become antibiotic-resistant (as opposed to asexual reproduction where the same genetic material is present in generations).

Source

Which of the following might or might not happen during Binary Fission?

Binary fission splits the chromosome into two identical copies, and the cell then divides into two new cells called ‘daughters.’ Each of the two daughters contains two exact copies of the mother cell. Binary fission may occur in a couple of milliseconds, and certain species of bacteria may triple their population in less than ten minutes! Bacteria colonies may be started with only one cell using this procedure.

DNA Recombination and Exchange

Is there a difference between male and female bacteria? Of course, the answer is a resounding no. As a result, sexual reproduction is not possible in bacteria. However, not all newly discovered bacteria are clones since bacteria may acquire new DNA. There are three distinct methods in which this Bacterial Reproduction process takes place:

Bacterial asexual reproduction

• Binary fission – This is when a single bacterial cell divides into two daughter cells. Initially, the bacterial cell reaches a threshold size and composition—replication of the bacteria’s circular double-stranded DNA results in the production of new complementary strands. Following the transfer of these two DNA strands to the cell’s opposing poles, a transverse septum develops in the cell’s central region, dividing the two new daughter cells. Binary fission I have now been achieved. It is a straightforward technique that takes just a few minutes to complete.

• Conidia creation – Conidia are generated by forming a transverse septum at the filament’s tip-in filamentous bacteria such as Streptomyces. The conidiophore is the part of the mother cell that carries the conidia; after being detached from the mother cell, it germinates on a suitable substrate, forming a new mycelium. Additionally, fragmentation is a term used to describe this kind of asexual reproduction.

• Budding – During this reproduction stage, the bacterial cell develops a slight bulge on one side that continuously expands in size. Simultaneously, the nucleus separates into two halves, one of which includes some cytoplasm that enters the swelling, and the other remains attached to the mother cell. The protrusion is referred to as a bud, and along with the mother cell, it eventually forms a partition wall. This kind of reproduction is also known as vegetative reproduction in bacteria. Take, for example, Rhodomicrobium vannielii.

• Cysts – Cysts are formed when additional layers form around the mother cell and act as a resting structure under bad conditions. When the mother cell’s surroundings improve again, she resumes her usual behavior, and Azotobacter is one such organism.

• Endospore formation – Endospores are formed when a bacterial cell is stressed by desiccation or hunger. They consist of a central protoplast and a core containing DNA, ribosomes, enzymes, and t-RNA necessary to create a new cell. Only one endospore is formed in a single bacterial cell, and upon germination, it generates a new bacterial cell.

Sexual reproduction – Bacteria

• Conjunction: Conjunction is the process by which DNA passes via an extension on the surface of one bacteria and travels to the surface of another bacterium (Figure below). Bacteria must exchange DNA with one another to survive.
• Transformation: Bacterial transformation occurs when bacteria take up fragments of DNA from their surrounding environment.
• Transduction: This kind of sexual reproduction occurs when a virus introduces foreign genes into the bacterial cell. These viruses, dubbed bacteriophage, are non-pathogenic, and the virus acts as a carrier of genes from one host to another. When transducing bacteriophages include identical genes, the replication mechanism is restricted transduction. Additionally, they may communicate a large number of genes over some time. A process called generalized transduction.

Conclusion:

• Microorganisms reproduce via binary fission, which results in the formation of two identical daughter cells.
• Reproduction In Bacteria can exchange DNA via the conjugation, transformation, and transduction mechanisms, among others.

FAQs:

1. What are the 3 ways bacteria reproduce?

Bacterial sexual reproduction may take place in three different ways:

• Transformation
• Transduction
• Conjugation

2. How do bacteria reproduce sexually?

Only bacteria and archaea reproduce primarily by binary fission. Bacteria are sexually unable, although they are capable of transferring genetic information. Two bacteria come into contact through a pilus and exchange genetic material (a bacterial structure). This is known as conjugation.

3. Do all bacteria reproduce sexually or asexually?

Even though bacteria are single-celled prokaryotic creatures, they do not have a male or female counterpart. Bacteria reproduce asexually.

4. What are the two methods of bacterial reproduction?

• Microorganisms reproduce by binary fission, producing two daughter cells identical to the parent cell.
• By using the mechanisms of conjugation, transformation, and transduction, bacteria may share DNA.

5. What type of asexual reproduction do bacteria most commonly use?

Binary fission is a common and uncomplicated mechanism for asexual reproduction in bacteria. When asexual reproduction occurs, the nucleus of a parent cell divides in half, resulting in two equal-sized daughter cells.

6. Does E.coli reproduce sexually or asexually?

Escherichia coli splits, asexual reproduction occurs because genetic material is not transferred during cell division.

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Sources:

1. Reproduction and growthhttps://www.britannica.com/science/microbiology/Reproduction-and-growth Accessed on 7 Dec 2021
2. Bacteria Reproduction
3. https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-biology-flexbook-2.0/section/7.6/primary/lesson/prokaryote-reproduction-bio/ Accessed on 7 Dec 2021
4. Bacteriahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteria Accessed on 7 Dec 2021
5. Reproduction in Bacteriahttps://www.vedantu.com/biology/reproduction-in-bacteria Accessed on 7 Dec 2021

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