What is the process by which bacteria reproduce asexually?

Bacteria reproduce asexually primarily through a process known as binary fission. This method involves a single bacterial cell dividing into two identical daughter cells. During binary fission, the bacterial DNA is replicated, and the cell elongates before the plasma membrane pinches inward, ultimately leading to the formation of two separate cells. This process is efficient and allows for rapid population growth under favorable conditions.

In contrast, mitosis and meiosis are processes of cell division that occur in eukaryotic cells. Mitosis is responsible for growth and repair by generating two genetically identical daughter cells, while meiosis produces gametes for sexual reproduction, resulting in cells with half the chromosome number. Fragmentation, on the other hand, is a form of asexual reproduction seen in some organisms, where the organism breaks into pieces, and each piece can develop into a new individual, but it is not a method used by bacteria.

Therefore, binary fission is the accurate term used to describe the asexual reproduction process in bacteria.