Bacterial cells primarily reproduce by which method?

Bacterial cells primarily reproduce by binary fission, which is a highly efficient and rapid process where a single bacterial cell divides into two identical daughter cells. This method is a form of asexual reproduction that allows bacteria to quickly increase their population size under favorable conditions.

During binary fission, the bacterial DNA is replicated, and the cell grows until it has doubled in size. Subsequently, the cell membrane pinches inward, and a new cell wall is formed, resulting in two separate cells. This process is particularly advantageous for bacteria because it allows them to adapt quickly to environmental changes and exploit available resources effectively.

In contrast, mitosis is a type of cell division used by eukaryotic cells and involves more complex processes, including the formation of a spindle apparatus and multiple stages. Meiosis is a specialized form of division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms, producing gametes with half the genetic material. Fragmentation, while a method of reproduction for some organisms, is not the primary mode for bacterial cells. Therefore, binary fission is distinctly characteristic of bacterial reproduction due to its simplicity and efficiency.