Bacteria reproduce primarily through a process called binary fission. This is a type of asexual reproduction where a single bacterial cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
In binary fission, the bacterial chromosome is replicated, and the cell grows in size. Once the chromosome has been duplicated, the cell membrane begins to pinch inwards, eventually dividing the cell into two separate entities. Each of these new cells is a clone of the original, containing the same genetic material.
This method of reproduction allows bacteria to multiply rapidly under favorable conditions, which is why bacterial populations can grow exponentially. Unlike sexual reproduction, binary fission does not involve the exchange of genetic material between organisms, meaning that the offspring are genetically identical to the parent unless mutations occur.