Schizosaccharomyces pombe has three chromosomes with a size of 5.7, 4.6 and 3.5 Mbp, respectively. The cells divide by binary fission with a doubling time of 2-4 hours.
Starvation induces two haploid cells of opposite mating type to fuse and to form a zygote.
The zygotes then undergo meiosis and develop into an ascus containing four spores, which are released from the ascus and grow out as haploid cell clones when nutrients are added.