What is the primary method of division for bacterial cells?

The primary method of division for bacterial cells is binary fission. This process involves a single bacterial cell growing and then dividing into two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the original.

During binary fission, the bacterial DNA is first replicated, and then the cell elongates. The cell membrane and cell wall pinch inward along the center, leading to the formation of two separate cells. This method allows bacteria to reproduce quickly and efficiently, which is key to their survival and proliferation, especially in favorable environments.

In contrast, other methods such as mitosis are specific to eukaryotic cells and involve multiple phases to ensure accurate chromosome division, which is not applicable to prokaryotes like bacteria. Budding and fragmentation are alternative asexual reproduction methods seen in certain eukaryotic organisms, but they are not typically used by bacteria, thus making binary fission the predominant mode of reproduction in bacterial cells.