Question

(a) What is meant by the term 'fission' as used in biology?
(b) How does binary fission differ from multiple fission?
(c) Name one organism which reproduces by binary fission and another which reproduces by multiple fission.
(d) State whether the above-named organisms are animals or plants.

Answer 1

(a) Fission is the process of asexual reproduction in which a unicellular organism divides to form two daughter cells.
(b) In binary fission, the parental cell divides into two daughter cells. In multiple fission, the parent organism keeps on dividing for innumerable times giving rise to many offsprings.
(c) Amoeba reproduces by binary fission and Plasmodium by multiple fission.
(d) Organisms named above are protozoa; thus, they are animal-like.