Final answer:
The new cells formed when a bacteria cell splits are called daughter cells, resulting from a process termed binary fission. During this process, the bacterial DNA is replicated, the cell enlarges, a division septum forms, and two identical cells are created.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a bacterial cell grows and splits into two new cells, the new cells are referred to as daughter cells. This happens through a process known as binary fission. In binary fission, the bacterial cell first duplicates its DNA and then enlarges. A division septum forms across the middle of the cell, eventually pinching off to create two identical daughter cells, each with a copy of the original chromosome, thus ensuring genetic consistency.
The entire process of binary fission is a simple and rapid form of replication that allows a bacterial population to increase exponentially. Distinct from the complex eukaryotic cell cycle, binary fission in bacteria often begins DNA replication even before the previous round of fission is complete. This rapid cycle is essential for the survival and proliferation of bacteria in their respective environments.
Although binary fission is the most common mechanism of bacterial replication, other forms of replication such as fragmentation, budding, and internal growth of new cells occur in various bacterial species, reflecting the diversity among prokaryotic organisms.