Which of the following is a type of asexual reproduction?

• A. Sexual reproduction
• B. Mating
• C. Binary fission
• D. Fertilization

Answer: (C)

Asexual reproduction means offspring come from a single parent without joining gametes, so they are produced without genetic material from a second parent. Binary fission fits this because it’s a simple cell division: the organism copies its DNA and splits into two new cells. There’s no fertilization or mating involved, so no genetic mixing occurs. This is common in bacteria and many single-celled organisms. In contrast, fertilization and mating involve two parents and genetic recombination, which is why they’re linked to sexual reproduction. So the process where a single organism divides to form two offspring is binary fission.