What is the primary method used by bacteria to replicate?

The primary method used by bacteria to replicate is binary fission. This process is a form of asexual reproduction where a single bacterial cell divides into two identical daughter cells. During binary fission, the bacterial DNA duplicates, and the cell elongates, eventually pinching in at the center to form two separate cells, each possessing the same genetic material as the original.

This method allows for rapid population growth under favorable conditions, enabling bacteria to adapt quickly to changing environments. In contrast, sexual reproduction typically involves the exchange of genetic material between two organisms, which is not a characteristic of bacterial reproduction. Fragmentation and spore formation are also methods more commonly associated with certain types of organisms, such as fungi or specific bacteria under distress, but they are not the primary means of replication in the majority of bacteria. Thus, binary fission stands out as the fundamental and most prevalent method for bacterial replication.