The speed of binary fission in Escherichia coli is :
(a) considerably slower than mitosis of advanced organisms since bacteria are primitive
(b) considerably faster than mitosis of advanced organisms
(c) essentially the same speed as mitosis in advanced organisms since the need to build DNA and new cell components is the same in both organisms
(d) none of the above

Options

A. considerably slower than mitosis of advanced organisms since bacteria are primitive
B. considerably faster than mitosis of advanced organisms
C. essentially the same speed as mitosis in advanced organisms since the need to build DNA and new cell components is the same in both organisms
D. none of the above

Explanation

To determine the speed of binary fission in Escherichia coli (E. coli) compared to mitosis in advanced organisms, we can analyze the options provided in the question step by step.

### Step 1: Understand Binary Fission in E. coli
- E. coli is a type of bacteria that reproduces asexually through a process called binary fission.
- The process of binary fission in E. coli takes approximately 20 minutes to complete under optimal conditions (around 37 degrees Celsius).

### Step 2: Understand Mitosis in Advanced Organisms
- Mitosis is a type of cell division that occurs in eukaryotic cells (advanced organisms).
- The entire cell cycle includes a preparatory phase called interphase, which takes a significant amount of time (about 95% of the total cycle), followed by the mitotic phase (M phase) that takes about 5%.
- For example, if a human cell takes about one hour to complete mitosis, the interphase would take around 57 minutes, and the M phase would take about 3 minutes.

### Step 3: Compare the Speeds
- Given that binary fission in E. coli takes about 20 minutes, and mitosis in advanced organisms takes significantly longer due to the lengthy interphase, we can conclude that binary fission is considerably faster than mitosis.

### Step 4: Evaluate the Options
- (a) "Considerably slower than mitosis of advanced organisms since bacteria are primitive" - This is incorrect because binary fission is faster.
- (b) "Considerably faster than mitosis of advanced organisms" - This is correct based on our comparison.
- (c) "Essentially the same speed as mitosis in advanced organisms since the need to build DNA and new cell components is the same in both organisms" - This is incorrect because the time taken for binary fission is much less than that for mitosis.
- (d) "None of the above" - This is incorrect since option (b) is correct.

### Conclusion
The correct answer is (b) "considerably faster than mitosis of advanced organisms."

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