Multiple fission
One cell divides into many at once.
The malarial parasite
The malarial parasite, Plasmodium, is a single cell.
How do you think it divides?
What this lesson covers
The idea
In multiple fission, a single-celled organism divides into many daughter cells simultaneously.
The malarial parasite
The malarial parasite, Plasmodium, is a single cell.
How do you think it divides?
- Into many daughter cells at the same time
- Into exactly two halves only
- It does not divide
Plasmodium divides
Press Next step.
Many at once
Binary fission gives two. Multiple fission gives many daughter cells, all at the same time. The malarial parasite Plasmodium divides like this.
In multiple fission, a single-celled organism divides into many daughter cells simultaneously.
Notes
In multiple fission, a single-celled organism divides into many daughter cells simultaneously.
Check yourself
In multiple fission, a single-celled organism divides into …
Which organism divides by multiple fission?
In a picture, one cell divides into 8 daughter cells at once by multiple fission. By binary fission it would give 2 cells. How many more daughter cells does multiple fission give here?
Answer: 6 cells
- two equal halves only. Splitting into two equal halves is binary fission.
- many daughter cells at the same time — correct. Yes!
- one small outgrowth. A small outgrowth is a bud, as in yeast. Multiple fission gives many daughter cells.
- Amoeba. Amoeba splits into two cells, in any plane.
- Spirogyra. Spirogyra is multi-cellular and breaks up into smaller pieces.
- Plasmodium — correct. Yes!