What type of cell division do prokaryotic cells undergo?

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Prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria, undergo binary fission for cell division. This process is characterized by the simple division of a single cell into two identical daughter cells. In binary fission, the genetic material (circular DNA) replicates, and the cell elongates, ultimately pinching inwards at the center to form two separate cells, each with a copy of the original DNA. This method of reproduction is efficient and quick, allowing prokaryotic organisms to multiply rapidly in favorable environments.

Other types of cell division, such as mitosis and meiosis, are typically associated with eukaryotic cells. Mitosis involves a series of complex stages to ensure accurate replication and distribution of chromosomes into two identical daughter cells, while meiosis is a specialized form of division that leads to the production of gametes, resulting in genetic diversity. Fragmentation is a form of asexual reproduction that occurs in some multicellular organisms, not in the context of typical prokaryotic cell division. Thus, binary fission is the correct answer, reflecting the unique and straightforward reproductive strategy of prokaryotes.

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