Bacterial Reproduction Methods — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2017DNA replication in bacteria occurs NEET 2017
DNA replication in bacteria occurs NEET 2017
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: B — prior to fission
In bacteria, DNA replication occurs prior to binary fission as the cell needs to duplicate its genetic material before dividing into two daughter cells. Bacteria lack a nucleolus and don't have distinct S phase like eukaryotes. The replication must happen before the actual division process begins.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
Bacteria reproduce mainly by fission. Sometimes, under unfavourable conditions, they produce spores. They also reproduce by a sort of sexual reproduction by adopting a primitive type of DNA transfer from one bacterium to the other.
NTA tests whether students understand that bacteria reproduce primarily through binary fission, a form of asexual reproduction where DNA replication precedes cell division. Students often confuse bacterial reproduction with sexual reproduction or mistakenly think conjugation (DNA transfer) is the main reproductive method—it's actually a primitive form of genetic exchange, not primary reproduction. Key points to remember: binary fission is the dominant method under favorable conditions, spore formation occurs during stress, and conjugation transfers DNA but doesn't increase population. This concept appears in NEET because it's fundamental to understanding microbial biology and differentiates prokaryotic from eukaryotic reproduction.
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