Multiple Fissin

Multiple fission is a type of asexual reproduction in which a single parent cell divides to produce several (often many) daughter cells simultaneously, unlike binary fission where only two are produced.​

Steps of Multiple Fission

Preparation/Cyst Formation: In many protozoans (like Amoeba or Plasmodium), the parent cell often develops a thick protective membrane called a cyst, especially under unfavorable conditions.​

Nuclear Division: The nucleus of the parent cell divides repeatedly by mitosis or amitosis, producing many nuclei within the same cell.​

Cytoplasmic Division: The cytoplasm then divides, and each nucleus gets surrounded by a segment of cytoplasm, eventually forming multiple daughter cells inside the parent.​

Release of Daughter Cells: The cyst or parent cell wall breaks open (often when conditions become favorable), releasing all the new daughter cells into the environment at once.​

Examples

Amoeba: Multiple fission in amoeba often happens inside a cyst during unfavorable conditions; many amoebae are released when the cyst ruptures.​

Plasmodium (malarial parasite): Multiple fission (schizogony) results in many daughter cells (merozoites) in the liver and red blood cells, which is critical in the life cycle and symptoms of malaria.​

Other Protozoans and Algae: Seen in organisms such as Paramecium (some stages), Sporozoa, and some unicellular algae.