Which of the following best describes the reproduction process of bacteria?

Bacteria primarily reproduce through a process known as binary fission, which involves a single bacterial cell dividing into two identical daughter cells. This method of reproduction is asexual, meaning that the offspring produced are genetic clones of the parent cell. This process ensures rapid population growth under favorable conditions, as a single bacterium can replicate itself quickly.

The process begins with the replication of the bacterium's DNA, followed by the elongation of the cell and the formation of a septum that divides the cell into two distinct cells. This straightforward method of reproduction allows bacteria to respond immediately to environmental changes and can lead to large populations in a short period.

The other options, though they refer to important biological processes, do not accurately describe the primary means of reproduction for bacteria. For example, while some bacteria can form spores, which serve as a survival mechanism, this is not the primary mode of reproduction. Similarly, while genetic exchange can occur through processes like conjugation, transformation, or transduction, these processes involve genetic variation rather than the direct reproduction of new cells. Budding and fragmentation are methods seen in certain other organisms but are not characteristic of how most bacteria reproduce.