How do single-celled organisms reproduce?

Single-celled organisms primarily reproduce through binary fission, which is a method of asexual reproduction. During binary fission, the organism duplicates its genetic material and then divides into two equal-sized daughter cells. Each daughter cell is a clone of the original organism, carrying the same genetic information. This process is efficient and allows for rapid population growth under favorable conditions.

Binary fission is particularly common in prokaryotic organisms, like bacteria, but can also be seen in some eukaryotic microorganisms such as certain protozoa and yeast. The simplicity and speed of binary fission make it an effective way for single-celled organisms to reproduce, allowing them to thrive in various environments.

Other methods listed, such as budding, fragmentation, and sexual reproduction, do occur in some single-celled organisms, but they are less common compared to binary fission. Budding involves a small outgrowth from the parent organism that eventually detaches to become a new individual, while fragmentation involves the breaking apart of the parent organism into parts that can grow into new individuals. Sexual reproduction, although possible in some single-celled organisms, is less prevalent and involves a more complex process of genetic exchange. Therefore, binary fission stands out as the most typical mode of