When a prokaryote replicates, what is the process typically involved?

The correct process by which a prokaryote replicates is binary fission. In binary fission, a single prokaryotic cell grows in size, duplicates its genetic material (DNA), and then divides into two identical daughter cells. This process is efficient and straightforward, allowing for rapid population growth under favorable conditions.

Binary fission begins when the DNA of the prokaryotic cell is attached to the cell membrane. As the cell grows, it elongates, and the DNA replicates, with each copy moving towards opposite ends of the cell. Eventually, the cell membrane pinches inward, dividing the cytoplasm and creating two separate cells, each with a complete copy of the original DNA.

This method of replication is particularly significant for prokaryotes, as they lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles found in eukaryotic cells.Thus, binary fission is the primary means of reproduction in organisms like bacteria.

In contrast, conjugation involves the transfer of genetic material between two prokaryotic cells through direct contact but does not result in cell division. Budding refers to a process typically seen in some unicellular organisms and eukaryotes, where a new organism develops from an outgrowth of a parent organism