Marvels of Propagation
Bacteria may be simple, but they have more ways to create their next generation than do humans. Bacteria reproduce in a couple of ways. They either split into two or they produce spores.
One Bacteria Splits to Become Two
The bacteria cell grows until it doubles its normal size. Like any cell, bacteria are surrounded by a cell membrane. When the bacteria cell doubles in size, this membrane grows down its middle. When this membrane is complete, and stretches from one end of the cell to the other end, the bacteria splits. This middle membrane becomes the new cell boundary for the new bacteria cells. They separate to become two new bacteria.
Four Generations in One Hour
It doesn't take long for these cells to separate into two. The time between being "born" and splitting varies. Under good conditions, this takes only 15 minutes. So every 15 minutes, a bacteria cell splits into two. Theoretically, they could reproduce until they completely cover everything on the planet. But, like any living organism, they need resources to live. Since these resources are limited, the bacteria population doesn't grow out of control.
Binary Fission
The above process is called binary fission. "Bi" means "two," and fission is simply splitting. Bacteria need both resources and the right conditions to reproduce.
Circumventing Lack of Resources for Reproduction
If they don't have the resources, bacteria reproduce by spore formation. These spores hold the bacteria's DNA material. They're designed to protect the bacteria from environment-related punishments. Consider this the bacteria's "extended shelf life." These spores are "alive" but they're not active. When the conditions are right, these spores grow and become new bacteria. Spores can remain like this for hundreds of years before becoming new bacteria.
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