Bacteria reproduce via binary fission, a process in which two daughter cells with an exact copy of the mother's genome are produced without mitosis. Although binary fission is an asexual form of reproduction, genetic recombination does occur, providing a source for genetic diversity. In binary fission, the single, circular chromosome first replicates itself. Both the new and old copies of the chromosome are attached to the cell membrane. In between the two copies, at the mid-point of the cell, some new cell membrane is created. This new part of the membrane grows inward, cutting the cytoplasm and nucleiod in half to produce two new cells. Some bacteria can undergo binary fission as often as every twenty minutes.
