Fission is an asexual process

Options

A. that allows regrowth of lost body parts
B. that occurs in individuals that live in isolated areas
C. in which a parent separates into two or more individuals
D. in which a parent fragments into several pieces

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Definition of Fission**:
- Fission is a type of asexual reproduction where an organism divides into two or more parts, each of which can develop into a new individual.

2. **Origin of the Term**:
- The term "fission" comes from the Latin word "fendere," which means "to split." This reflects the process where the parent organism splits into separate entities.

3. **Characteristics of Fission**:
- Fission does not involve the fusion of gametes, which is a characteristic of sexual reproduction. Instead, it is a straightforward process of division.

4. **Types of Organisms**:
- Fission primarily occurs in unicellular organisms, such as bacteria and amoebas. This distinguishes it from other forms of asexual reproduction, like fragmentation, which occurs in multicellular organisms.

5. **Distinction from Other Processes**:
- Unlike regeneration, where lost body parts can regrow, fission results in the creation of new individuals from the parent organism.
- Fragmentation involves the breaking of a multicellular organism into pieces, where each piece can grow into a new organism, but this is different from fission.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, fission is indeed an asexual process, and it is characterized by the splitting of a parent organism into two or more individuals.