Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Practice Exam

Binary fission is primarily associated with which type of organism?

1. Eukaryotic cells

2. Prokaryotes

3. Animal cells

4. Plant cells

The correct answer is: Prokaryotes

Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction commonly found in prokaryotes, which include bacteria and archaea. During this process, a single prokaryotic cell divides into two identical daughter cells, each containing a copy of the original cell's DNA. This simpler form of cell division is efficient for organisms that lack a defined nucleus and other complex organelles typically found in eukaryotic cells. In contrast, eukaryotic organisms, such as animals and plants, utilize more complex methods of cell division, including mitosis and meiosis, which involve multiple stages and the presence of a mitotic spindle for the organization of chromosomes. These processes are adapted to handle the larger and more complex structures of eukaryotic cells. Therefore, binary fission is distinctively associated with prokaryotes, making it the correct answer.