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binary fission

American  

noun

Biology.
  1. fission into two organisms approximately equal in size.


binary fission British  

noun

  1. asexual reproduction in unicellular organisms by division into two daughter cells

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of binary fission

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Some unicellular eukaryotic organisms undergo binary fission by mitosis.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

The micronucleus is essential for sexual reproduction, whereas the macronucleus directs asexual binary fission and all other biological functions.

From Textbooks Jan. 1, 2015

Cycles of binary fission can be very rapid, on the order of minutes for some species.

From Textbooks Apr. 25, 2013

Most are capable some form of asexual reproduction, such as binary fission to produce two daughter cells, or multiple fission to divide simultaneously into many daughter cells.

From Textbooks Apr. 25, 2013

They must still be described as minute spheres, rods, or spirals, with no further discernible structure, sometimes motile and sometimes stationary, sometimes producing spores and sometimes not, and multiplying universally by binary fission.

From The Story of Germ Life by Conn, H. W. (Herbert William)

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