The type of asexual reproduction that is common to both Paramecium and Protists is

Step 1: Analyze the question We need the type of asexual reproduction shared by Paramecium and protists in general. Paramecium is itself a protist (a ciliate), so we're looking for the most common method among single-celled protists.

Step 2: Review the options

• Fragmentation: the body breaks into pieces, each growing into a new individual. It is seen in Spirogyra and planarians, not in Paramecium.
• Budding: a small outgrowth develops into a new individual. It is seen in yeast and Hydra, not typical of Paramecium.
• Sporulation: spores are produced. It is seen in fungi, mosses and ferns, and in some protists such as Plasmodium, but not in Paramecium.
• Fission: the parent cell divides into two (binary fission). This is how Paramecium reproduces asexually. It divides transversely, and the same process is used by Amoeba, Euglena and other protists.

Step 3: Solution Paramecium reproduces asexually by binary fission, where the macronucleus and micronucleus divide and the cell splits into two daughter cells. Binary fission is also the usual asexual method in other protists such as Amoeba (and in bacteria). So fission is the method common to both.

Answer: D. fission

Tip: Link the organisms to their methods:

• Amoeba, Paramecium, bacteria → fission
• Yeast, Hydra → budding
• Spirogyra, planarians → fragmentation
• Fungi, ferns, mosses → spores

Unicellular organism that just splits in two = fission.