What is the process by which bacteria grow to their largest size and then divide into two new cells?

The process by which bacteria grow to their largest size and then divide into two new cells is known as binary fission. This is a type of asexual reproduction commonly found in prokaryotic organisms, such as bacteria. During binary fission, the bacterial cell replicates its DNA and then divides into two identical daughter cells. This method allows bacteria to reproduce quickly and efficiently, leading to exponential growth under favorable conditions.

In more detail, the process begins when the bacterium enlarges and duplicates its genetic material. Once the cell has reached a certain size and the DNA has been replicated, the cell membrane and cell wall pinch inwards to divide the cell into two separate parts, each containing one copy of the DNA. This is a straightforward and effective way for bacteria to increase their population.

The other options like cell division, binary fusion, and cellular split do not accurately describe the specific and well-defined process that bacteria undergo during replication. Each of these terms might refer to broader or different types of cellular processes but not the exact mechanism of bacterial reproduction, which is explicitly defined as binary fission.