What process describes the asexual reproduction method in bacteria?

Binary fission is the primary method of asexual reproduction in bacteria. In this process, a single bacterial cell divides into two identical daughter cells. The steps of binary fission involve the replication of the bacterial DNA, followed by an elongation of the cell and ultimately the formation of a septum that divides the cell into two separate entities. This method allows for rapid population growth, as one bacterium can divide into two every 20 minutes or so under optimal conditions.

Other options like mitosis and meiosis are processes associated with eukaryotic cells. Mitosis is the process of nuclear division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, and meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that produces gametes. These processes do not apply to bacteria, which lack a defined nucleus and instead have a simpler mechanism of division. Conjugation, on the other hand, is a form of genetic exchange between bacteria but not a method of reproduction; it involves the transfer of genetic material through direct contact between cells. Thus, binary fission accurately describes the asexual reproduction method in bacteria.