[Campbell Biology P.292] Which of the following is a key difference between bacterial cell d... | Practice Question

Which of the following is a key difference between bacterial cell division by binary fission and plant cell mitosis, according to the provided text and figures?

  • A: Chromosomes in binary fission are single and circular, while in mitosis they are multiple and linear.
  • B: Binary fission always involves nuclear envelope fragmentation, whereas mitosis never does.
  • C: Cytokinesis in binary fission occurs via a cell plate, while in mitosis it involves plasma membrane pinching.
  • D: Chromosome movement in binary fission is primarily driven by microtubules, while in mitosis it involves actin-like proteins.

Explanation

Figure 12.12 explicitly states E. coli has a 'single, circular chromosome.' Figure 12.11 and the associated text describe multiple chromosomes condensing, discrete in plant cell mitosis, which are linear in eukaryotes.