Which statement about the genetic material during bacterial division is true?

During bacterial division, specifically through the process of binary fission, each daughter cell must receive a complete and functional copy of the bacterial chromosome to ensure proper cellular function and progression. Bacteria have a single, circular chromosome, which is duplicated before the cell begins to divide. The replication process ensures that there are two identical copies of the chromosome present in the cell.

As the cell elongates and prepares to divide, the two copies of the chromosome are separated and moved to opposite ends of the cell. This careful segregation ensures that when the cell divides, each daughter cell inherits one complete chromosome, thus maintaining the genetic integrity of the bacterial population. This ability to faithfully replicate and partition genetic material is crucial for bacterial growth and reproduction, allowing both daughter cells to function properly after division.