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Every individual has a fixed life span, at completion of which the individual dies. However, the
species survive for periods far greater than the life time of any individual in it. This is possible
with the production of new individuals by the previous ones before they dies. The production of
new individuals by the existing ones is called reproduction. There are two quite distinct methods
of producing offsprings viz., asexual and sexual methods. The asexual reproduction involves a
single parent and produces offsprings which are genetically identical to the parent. The sexual
reproduction involves genetic recombination between two parents and so produces offsprings
which differ not only from the parent but also from each other.
Reproduction in bacteria
Bacteria reproduce both asexually and sexually (genetic recombination).
I. Asexual Reproduction
Asexual reproduction in bacteria occurs by the following methods:
1. Binary fission: This is the most common type of asexual reproduction in actively growing
bacteria and occurs during favorable conditions. On this basis, bacteria were once called ‘Fission
fungi’ (Shizomycetes). In this process, the cytoplasm and the nucleoid divide equally into two
without mitosis, and the two daughter cells formed are identical to each other; hence the name
binary fission. The whole process of binary fission involves two steps—Genome replication and
Septum formation. Both the events occur simultaneously and are triggered by a mesosome (if
present).
a. Genome/DNA replication: Binary fission begins with DNA replication. DNA
replication starts from an origin of replication, which opens up into a bubble. The
replication bubble separates the two DNA strands, each strand acts as a template for
synthesis of a daughter strand. The DNA replication is bidirectional, starting from the
point of origin and resulting in the formation of two circular daughter DNA molecules. In
each daughter DNA molecule, one strand is derived from the parental DNA molecule
while another strand is a new one. This is semi-conservative mode of DNA replication.
b. Septum formation/cell division: A peripheral ring of plasma membrane invaginates
and grows centripetally to form a double-membranous septum. Wall material is deposited
between the two membranes of the septum. This separates the parent cell into two nearly
equal daughter cells, each having its own nucleoid.
Diagram showing the process of binary fission in bacteria
Under optimal conditions of nutrition, water and temperature, the process of binary fission is
very quick and the division may be completed in about 20-30 minutes. Thus, in 24 hrs, a very
large number of bacteria may be produced.
2. Zoogloea stage: Under unfavorable conditions, the bacterial cells come to lie in chains and
get surrounded by a lot of mucilage. This is called zoogloea stage. It is a temporary phase for
avoiding dessication.
Zoogloea stage in bacteria
3. Conidia formation: This condition occurs in mycelial bacteria. The terminal portions of
bacterial filaments cut off rounded structures in chains, called conidia. These conidia on
detachment form new individuals.
4. Gonidia formation: In this case, the bacterial cell produces a number of flagellated daughter
cells within. These daughter cells are also called as swarmers. The cell wall of parent cell
ruptures, releasing gonidia. This is reported in Rhizobium species.
5. Cyst formation: This is reported in Azatobacter. The parent cell secretes a highly protective
covering called cyst wall, which can resist unfavorable conditions. On return of favorable
conditions, the cyst wall dissolves and the bacterium gets released. Thus, cyst formation helps in
perennation.
6. Budding: Some bacteria continuously produce protrusions, called buds, which on detachment
form new individuals. Hyphomicrobium vulgare and Rhodomicrobium vannielia are common
examples of budding bacteria.
Budding in bacteria
7. Fragmentation: It occurs in colonial cyanobacteria. After reaching a certain length, the blue
bacterium breaks up into pieces called fragments. Each fragment is the beginning of a new
colony.
8. Hormogonia: It is a characteristic method of reproduction in blue-green algae. Trichomes of
the filamentous genera break up within the sheath into short sections or segments of one to
many, uniform living cells. These short segments of trichome are called hormogonia or
hormogones. The hormogonia may be separated by:
(a) the formation of heterocysts (Nostoc);
(b) the death of one or more cells (Oscillatoria).
9. Akinetes: These are formed in many cyanobacteria. Akinetes are thick-walled resistant cells
with abundant food reserves, which are frequently developed singly next to a heterocyst.
However, their position is variable e.g. Anabaena.
B A
An akinete, labelled “A” can be seen, adjacent to the heterocyst “B”
Trichome emerging from a germinating akinete
10. Hormospores: They are formed at the tip of trichomes or short side-branches of
cyanobacteria e.g. Westiella.
11. Exospores: In certain blue-green bacteria, the spores are successively cut off at the distal
end of the protoplast by transverse divisions. These are called as exopsores.
12. Endospore formation: When the environmental conditions are adverse, some Gram +ve
bacteria, especially bacilli, and certain blue-green bacteria (e.g. Stichosiphon), produce thick-
walled, resistant spores, called endospores. Endospores are formed under conditions of nutrient
deficiency, unfavorable temperature, presence of toxic substances, etc. Iron and manganese
stimulate their formation. Flagella, if present, are withdrawn. Endospores can be formed in
middle, sub-terminal or terminal of the sporangial cell.
The endospores can be rounded, oval or cylindrical in outline. During endospore formation, a
portion of cytoplasm and a copy of bacterial chromosome dehydrate and get encased by a very
thick wall. The rest of the cytoplasm and the bacterial cell wall deteriorate, so that the endospore
is released. The thick wall of a typical endospore is distinguishable into four parts, namely
exosporium, spore-coat, cortex and, core wall. Exosporium is a loose outer covering which is
present only in some cases. Spore-coat is hard and resistant. It is made up of keratin-like
disulphide-rich proteins. Cortex is a thick layer, formed of mucopeptides and carbohydrates.
Core wall is rich in proteins; it is also called inner cortex. The protoplasm of the endospore has
two parts—cytoplasm and nuclear body. The cytoplasm is in a highly dehydrated state. About
90% of it is made up of proteins. It is also rich in lipids, calcium and manganese, but is deficient
in potassium and phosphorous. Endospores contain the anti-coagulant Dipicolinic acid, which
makes them highly resistant.
Endospore
Germination of endospores: The endospore can remain dormant for several decades, and can
tolerate hardest of environments, desert heat and dehydration, boiling temperature, polar ice,
toxic chemicals and even extreme UV radiations. They germinate only under favorable
conditions. The protoplast absorbs water and swells up. Dipicolinic acid leaks out, so that the
protoplast becomes active. The swollen protoplast breaks the spore-covering either at the equator
or at one end. It comes out as a new bacterium, surrounded by the thin core wall.
Resistance of endospores: Endospores are not affected by toxic chemicals and exposure to high
(60-70oC) or low (-100oC) temperatures. Some of the endospores are not killed even in liquid
Helium (-269oC). The endospore of anthrax bacteria can withstand dry heat of 140oC for 3 hours.
This extreme resistance of endospores is due to
a) Very low water content,
b) anti-coagulant Dipicolinic acid,
c) thick, resistant and impermeable covering,
d) lower rate of metabolism,
e) absence of active enzymes,
f) deficiency of potassium and phosphorous, and
g) increased calcium content.
Fortunately, most bacteria do not produce endospores, the only exceptions being Tetanus and
Anthrax bacteria. An uncommon type of food poisoning, called botulism, is caused by the
germination of endospores of Clostridium botulinum inside the food.
II. Sexual reproduction or Genetic recombination in bacteria
Cytological observations and genetic studies indicate that something like sexual reproduction,
involving the fusion of two different cells and a transfer of hereditary factors, occurs in bacteria,
although infrequently. But, typical sexual reproduction through the agency of gametes is absent
in bacteria. There is no fertilization and meiosis. However, the gene transfer in bacteria occurs by
three methods—Conjugation, Transformation and Transduction. (1) Conjugation involves
transfer of DNA from a donor or male cell to a recipient or female cell through a specialized sex
pilus or conjugation tube. (2) Transduction involves transfer of bacterial genes from a donor
cell to a recipient cell by a bacteriophage. (3) Transformation involves the uptake of naked
DNA molecules from one bacterium (the donor cell) by another bacterium (the recipient cell).
Therefore, conjugation occurs through direct cell-to-cell contact, but transformation and
transduction do not involve any such contact. The transfer of genetic information is, thus, a one-
way transfer, rather than a reciprocal exchange of genetic material. The phenomenon has been
called ‘Parasexuality’ or ‘Genetic Recombination’. However, sexual reproduction or even
conjugation is unknown in cyanobacteria.
Types of genetic recombination in bacteria
The three processes are explained as under:
1. Conjugation: A mechanism resembling sexual reproduction was discovered by Joshua
Lederberg and Edward Tatum (both from USA) in 1946 in bacterium E. coli. It was confirmed
by Hayes (London) and Wollman (Paris) in the same bacterium. They found that physical
contact was involved in conjugation between the two conjugants and that DNA from one is
transferred into another through a conjugation tube. Therefore, bacterial conjugation may be
defined as the transfer of genetic material from a donor cell to a recipient cell through a
specialized intercellular connection, or conjugation tube, that forms between them. The donor
and recipient cells are sometimes referred to as male and female cells, respectively.
Conjugation in bacteria
Mechanism of conjugation
The cells that have the capacity to serve as donors during conjugation are differentiated by the
presence of specialized cell-surface appendages called F pili. The synthesis of these F pili is
controlled by several genes that are carried by small circular molecule of DNA (about 100kbp)
called an F factor (for fertility factor) or also called as F-plasmid or ‘sex factor’. The F-plasmid
is an episome—a plasmid that can exist in two different states: (i) the autonomous state, in
which it replicates independently of the host chromosome, and (ii) the integrated state, in which
it is covalently inserted into the host chromosome and replicates along with the host chromosome
like any other set of chromosomal genes. It carries its own origin of replication, the oriV, as
well as an origin of transfer, or oriT. There can only be one copy of the F-plasmid in a given
bacterium, either free or integrated (two immediately before cell division). The donor bacteria
carrying an F factor form the conjugation tube and are called F-positive or F-plus (denoted as
F+). Strains that lack F plasmids are called F-negative or F-minus (denoted as F-).
When conjugation is initiated via a mating signal, a relaxase enzyme creates a nick in one
plasmid DNA strand at the origin of transfer, or oriT. The relaxase may work alone or in a
complex of over a dozen proteins, known collectively as a relaxosome. The transferred, or T-
strand, is unwound from the duplex plasmid and transferred into the recipient bacterium in a 5'-
terminus to 3'-terminus direction. The remaining strand is replicated, either independent of
conjugative action (vegetative replication, beginning at the oriV) or in concert with conjugation
(conjugative replication similar to the rolling circle replication of lambda phage). Conjugative
replication may necessitate a second nick before successful transfer can occur.
Schematic drawing of bacterial conjugation.
Conjugation diagram 1- Donor cell produces pilus. 2- Pilus
attaches to recipient cell, brings the two cells together. 3- The
mobile plasmid is nicked and a single strand of DNA is then
transferred to the recipient cell. 4- Both cells recircularize their
plasmids, synthesize second strands, and reproduce pili; both
cells are now viable donors.
Description:involving the fusion of two different cells and a transfer of hereditary factors, occurs in bacteria, although infrequently. But, typical sexual reproduction
