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6-2 Journal
Many organisms throughout the world exhibit a form of reproduction. Bacteria are not any
different and reproduce, they just use a different process. Bacteria reproduce through a process
called binary fission. In binary fission an organism copies its genetic material or DNA. It then
separates into two different parts or cytokinesis. They then receive one copy of the DNA.
Compared to mitosis, binary fission does not involve reproducing organelles or complex
chromosomes. Mitosis is a type of cell division and produces two genetically identical daughter
cells.
Bacteria rely on this asexual reproduction to reproduce offspring faster. They also rely on
horizontal gene transfer mechanisms like transformation, transduction, and conjugation to
provide genetic variation (Some Organisms Transmit Genetic Material to Offspring without Cell
Division 2014). With asexual reproduction there are several advantages, they include faster
population growth, a lower amount of genetic diversity, and smaller amount of energy required
to reproduce. Even though there are several advantages some of these initial advantages can also
be a disadvantage.
Meiosis and sexual reproduction create biodiversity by creating non-identical copies of cells.
In animals this creates gametes. These gametes have half of the chromosomes from the male and
the other half from the female. This then creates a completely unique animal with unique DNA.
An advantage to this type of reproduction is having some of the specific genes from the male and
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female transferred to the offspring. They could result in stronger resistance to diseases. This also
means that if both parents have a defect the child could develop that defect.
Genetic erosion is the loss of crop diversity. One of the main reasons that we are faced with
genetic erosion is because of the loss of habitat for certain species. This then creates more issues.
There is the loss of the gene pool, with the population of certain species potentially divided this
can lead to inbreeding and issues with the genetic makeup and can make it harder for species to
adapt to changes. This topic can not only be applied to animals but to crops as well. A good
example that we all know is corn. Humans have genetically altered corn so much that no longer
looks like its ancestor called teosinte. This plant, teosinte, can not be found as it once was.
Today there are so many variants that have different purposes. One might have a better tolerance
for heat or may have a natural resistance to diseases (Ancient DNA continues to rewrite Corn's
9,000-Year society-shaping history 2024) . In my opinion I believe that most of the issues that
have caused genetic erosion to have been by us humans. I don’t think that we can reverse all the
genetic erosions that happened throughout the world. I think some of these issues are also nature
running its course. To help with the issue of human made genetic erosion, I think that programs
like species driven breeding programs, habitat restoration, gene banks, and a general better
conservation effort would be a start to get this under control.
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References
Buckley, G. (2021, January 15). Binary fission - definition, steps and examples. Biology
Dictionary. https://biologydictionary.net/binary-fission/
Nature Publishing Group. (n.d.). Some Organisms Transmit Genetic Material to Offspring
without Cell Division. Scitable.
https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/some organisms-transmit-genetic-material-to-
offspring-6524963/#:~:text=Prokaryotic%20cells
%20have%20developed%20a,transformation%2C%20conjugation%2C%20and
%20transduction.
Ancient DNA continues to rewrite Corn’s 9,000-Year society-shaping history. Smithsonian
Institution. (n.d.). https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/ancient-dna-continues-
rewrite corns-9000-year-society-shaping-history
