What occurs during binary fission?

During binary fission, the primary process involves the replication of a cell's genetic material followed by the division of the cytoplasm, resulting in the formation of two genetically identical daughter cells. This process is a type of asexual reproduction typically observed in prokaryotic organisms, such as bacteria.

As the cell prepares for division, it first duplicates its DNA so that each new cell will have a complete set of genetic instructions. Once the DNA is replicated, the cell elongates, and the membrane pinches inwards at the center to form two separate cells. This mechanism allows for rapid population growth in favorable conditions, as each new cell is capable of growth and the potential for further division.

The other options do not accurately describe binary fission; meiosis is a process of sexual reproduction that results in cells with half the number of chromosomes, which does not apply here; nutrient absorption is a general process for many cells, but it does not pertain directly to the division process; and engulfing other cells describes a mechanism of phagocytosis rather than a method of cell division.