sciencegcse← Biology extras

Separate Biology · Paper 1 · Foundation + Higher

Growing bacteria

Key ideas1 of 3

One cell becomes two

Bacteria reproduce by binary fission: one cell divides into two. With enough nutrients and a suitable temperature, some can divide every 20 minutes. The division time is not the same in every condition.

After 0 minutes, 1 bacterial cells. Example assumes division every 20 minutes.

Next: Keeping cultures uncontaminated →
Practice, downloads and sources

Daily 5 · Exam practice · Revision sheet ↓

Foundation + Higher. Use alongside the shared B1–B4 lessons.

AQA GCSE Biology 8461 · 4.1.1.6. Original teaching notes, questions and diagrams.