Both cells convert single-stranded plasmid DNA into double-stranded form by synthesizing the complementary strand.īinary fission is an asexual reproduction method which involves only one parent cell.Ĭonjugation is a sexual reproduction method which involves two parent cells. One strand of plasmid DNA transfers into the recipient cell via the conjugation tube formed. The plasmid of the donor cell comes near the sex pilus and nicks from one point to become single stranded. Sex pilus bridges the two cells and helps them to contact with each other. Therefore, some bacteria receive antibiotic resistivity through conjugationīacterial conjugation is initiated with the production of sex pilus by the donor cell. Most of the antibiotic resistance genes are located in the plasmid DNA of bacteria. Recipient cell acquires new characteristics which are encoded by the received DNA. Therefore, this genetic material transfer often offers a genetic advantage.

Recipient cell lacks the genetic material owned by the donor cell. Donor cell is composed of fertility factor (F factor) which needs to develop the sex pilus for contact and DNA transfer to the recipient cell. One cell serves as the donor of the genetic material and the other cell is the recipient of the genetic material. The two cells are named donor cell and recipient cell. It occurs via cell to cell contact or by the formation of the conjugation bridge between temporally joined two cells. Basic steps of the binary fission are shown in figure 01.īacteria conjugation is a mechanism that involves the direct transfer of genetic material between two bacteria. The size and the genetic composition of the daughter cells are identical. Once the septum formation completes, the cell separates into two daughter cells. Plasma membrane grows inward and initiates the formation of the septum. Duplicated genomes segregate into two opposite ends of the cell. Binary fission starts at the origin of replication and duplicates the genome of the organism. Most bacteria depend on binary fission for propagation since it’s a simple and fast process. Binary fission results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single mature cell. Side by Side Comparison – Binary Fission vs Conjugationīinary fission is the most common asexual reproduction method exhibited by prokaryotic organisms and single cell eukaryotic organisms. Thus, the key difference between binary fission and conjugation is that binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction which produces two genetically identical cells from a single mature cell while the conjugation is a sexual reproduction method used by bacteria for genetic material transfer between temporally connected two cells.Ĥ. Conjugation occurs via a conjugation tube formed between two cells or via direct contact of two cells. Conjugation is a sexual reproduction method used by the bacteria to transfer genetic material to cells. Matured parent cells split into two identical daughter cells in binary fission. Binary fission is a common asexual reproduction method shown by single cell organisms including bacteria and amoeba.

Microorganisms use sexual and asexual reproduction methods for multiplication. Key Difference – Binary Fission vs Conjugation

Define binary fission