Question

What is multiple fission? How does it occur in an organ? Explain briefly. Name one organism which exhibits this type of reproduction.

Answer 1

Fission:

1. In unicellular organisms, fission is an asexual method of reproduction.
2. An individual divides into two or more new individuals during fission.
3. There are two types of fission: binary fission and multiple fission.

Multiple fission:

1. Many daughter cells are produced from a single parent cell in multiple fission.
2. The following steps are involved in the multiple fission process:
3. The parent cell forms a cyst during unfavorable conditions.
4. The nucleus of the parent cell divides several times inside the cyst.
5. It produces a large number of nuclei known as daughter nuclei.
6. Each daughter nucleus accumulates a small amount of cytoplasm.
7. Each of them is surrounded by a thin membrane.
8. As a result, numerous daughter cells are from within the cyst.
9. When favorable conditions come the cyst ruptures.
10. The daughter cells are released.
11. The daughter cells are all identical.
12. Each daughter cell creates a new organism.
13. As a result, multiple fission produces a large number of offspring.
14. Example: Plasmodium