Bacteria and Archaea reproduce through which process?

Bacteria and Archaea primarily reproduce through binary fission, which is a type of asexual reproduction. This process involves a single cell dividing into two identical daughter cells. During binary fission, the circular DNA molecule is replicated, and the cell elongates, followed by the formation of a partition that separates the two new cells.

This method is efficient and allows for rapid population growth under favorable conditions, making it the most common reproduction method for these microorganisms. In contrast, conjugation and budding are specific types of reproduction or genetic exchange that do not represent the primary means by which these organisms divide. Mitosis is a process related to eukaryotic cell division and does not apply to Bacteria or Archaea, as they lack a defined nucleus. Therefore, binary fission is the appropriate answer highlighting the standard reproductive method of these prokaryotic organisms.