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Related Concept Videos

Binary Fission01:20

Binary Fission

Fission is the division of a single entity into two or more parts, which regenerate into separate entities that resemble the original. Organisms in the Archaea and Bacteria domains reproduce using binary fission, in which a parent cell splits into two parts that can each grow to the size of the original parent cell. This asexual method of reproduction produces cells that are all genetically identical.
Mitosis and Cytokinesis02:03

Mitosis and Cytokinesis

In eukaryotes, the cell division cycle is divided into distinct, coordinated cellular processes that include cell growth, DNA replication/chromosome duplication, chromosome distribution to daughter cells, and finally, cell division. The cell cycle is tightly regulated by its regulatory systems as well as extracellular signals that affect cell proliferation.
The processes of the cell cycle occur over approximately 24 hours (in typical human cells) and in two major distinguishable stages. The...
Determining the Plane of Cell Division02:13

Determining the Plane of Cell Division

Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function. 
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
Mitosis and Cytokinesis01:35

Mitosis and Cytokinesis

In eukaryotes, the cell division cycle is divided into distinct, coordinated cellular processes that include cell growth, DNA replication/chromosome duplication, chromosome distribution to daughter cells, and finally, cell division. The cell cycle is tightly regulated by its regulatory systems as well as extracellular signals that affect cell proliferation.
The processes of the cell cycle occur over approximately 24 hours (in typical human cells) and in two major distinguishable stages. The...
Determining the Plane of Cell Division02:13

Determining the Plane of Cell Division

Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function. 
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
Binary Fission01:26

Binary Fission

Binary fission is the primary mode of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes, such as bacteria. It results in the production of two genetically identical daughter cells. This highly efficient process ensures the rapid propagation of bacterial populations under favorable conditions and involves coordinated cellular and molecular events.DNA Replication and SeparationThe process begins with the replication of the bacterial chromosome. The circular DNA molecule unwinds at a specific origin of...

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Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

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Same author

Spatial regulation of cytokinesis in bacteria.

Current opinion in microbiology·2001
Same author

Bacterial cell division: a moving MinE sweeper boggles the MinD.

Current biology : CB·2001
Same author

FtsZ rings in mukB mutants with or without the Min system.

Biochimie·2001
Same author

Influence of the nucleoid on placement of FtsZ and MinE rings in Escherichia coli.

Journal of bacteriology·2001
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Hanging by a thread: invasion of legume plants by rhizobia.

Current opinion in microbiology·2000
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Deletion of the min operon results in increased thermosensitivity of an ftsZ84 mutant and abnormal FtsZ ring assembly, placement, and disassembly.

Journal of bacteriology·2000

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

In Vitro Reconstitution of Self-Organizing Protein Patterns on Supported Lipid Bilayers
08:10

In Vitro Reconstitution of Self-Organizing Protein Patterns on Supported Lipid Bilayers

Published on: July 28, 2018

Themes and variations in prokaryotic cell division.

W Margolin1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, 6431 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. margolin@utmmg.med.uth.tmc.edu

FEMS Microbiology Reviews
|September 9, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Bacterial cell division relies on the FtsZ protein machine for chromosome segregation. While its assembly is understood, the force generation mechanism and diverse regulatory strategies remain key research areas.

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Area of Science:

  • Bacterial cell biology
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Cell division is crucial for bacterial reproduction, ensuring daughter cells receive a complete set of chromosomes.
  • Recent advances in genomics and genetic tools have improved understanding of prokaryotic cell division.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial cell division.
  • To investigate the role of FtsZ protein in orchestrating cell splitting.
  • To explore the targeting determinants and force generation in cytokinesis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing model bacterial systems with advanced genetic tools.
  • Analyzing genome sequence information.
  • Investigating molecular machines involved in cell division.

Main Results:

  • The tubulin-like FtsZ protein is central to a molecular machine that assembles at the division site in most bacterial species.
  • Determinants for targeting this machine are being identified in model systems.
  • The mechanism of force generation for cytokinesis remains largely unknown.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial cell division involves a conserved FtsZ-based machinery, but targeting and force generation mechanisms require further study.
  • Diverse regulatory mechanisms exist, as indicated by the varied presence of FtsZ and other division proteins across species.