What is the process called by which the cytoplasm divides in two?

The correct answer refers to the process of cytokinesis, which specifically describes the division of the cytoplasm following the completion of mitosis or meiosis. Cytokinesis is crucial for ensuring that each daughter cell receives an appropriate amount of cytoplasm and organelles, allowing them to function properly after cell division.

During cytokinesis, a contractile ring made of actin filaments forms at the center of the dividing cell, constricting to split the cell into two distinct daughter cells. This process is essential for maintaining the integrity and functionality of the resulting cells.

While the other terms listed may seem related to cell division, they do not specifically describe the division of the cytoplasm. Mitosis refers to the division of the nucleus and its contents, which happens prior to cytokinesis. Fission and binary division are more often associated with simpler forms of cell division found in prokaryotes and some single-celled organisms, rather than with the complex process involving cytokinesis seen in eukaryotic cells.