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Let's trace Binary Fission in a bacterium like E. coli: Step 1 (DNA Replication): The single circular DNA inside the cell makes a perfect copy of itself. Now there are two DNA loops. Step 2 (Elongation): The cell stretches and grows longer. Step 3 (Septum Formation): A wall-like structure called a septum starts growing from the sides toward the middle. Step 4 (Division): The septum closes completely, dividing the cytoplasm into two. Step 5 (Separation): Two identical 'daughter cells' are now free, each having one copy of the DNA. Under perfect conditions, this can happen every 20 minutes!