Which of the following statements about bacteria is true?

The statement that bacteria reproduce by simple cell division is true because bacteria primarily divide through a process called binary fission. During binary fission, a single bacterial cell elongates, replicates its genetic material, and then divides into two identical daughter cells. This method of reproduction allows for rapid population growth under favorable conditions.

In contrast, while some bacteria can produce spores, not all do, and this method is typically associated with certain types of bacteria. The ability to live in extreme environments is characteristic of a subset known as extremophiles, but it doesn't apply to all bacteria. Additionally, bacteria are unicellular organisms, which means they consist of a single cell rather than being multicellular.