Final answer:
The false statement about binary fission is b) It involves the formation of a mitotic spindle, as this process characteristic is unique to mitosis in eukaryotic cells and is not a feature of prokaryotic binary fission.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking which statement about binary fission is false. Analyzing the given choices:
- a) It occurs in prokaryotes. - This statement is true as binary fission is the process by which prokaryotic organisms, such as bacteria, reproduce.
- b) It involves the formation of a mitotic spindle. - This statement is false because binary fission does not involve the formation of a mitotic spindle, which is a feature of mitosis in eukaryotic cells.
- c) It results in two identical daughter cells. - This is true as binary fission results in the formation of two genetically identical daughter cells.
- d) It lacks a G1 phase. - This is true, prokaryotic cells do not have a typical eukaryotic cell cycle, and thus they do not go through a G1 phase as part of binary fission.
Therefore, the answer is b) It involves the formation of a mitotic spindle. Mitotic spindles are associated with eukaryotic cell division and not with the simpler process of binary fission in prokaryotic cells.