A colony of red bacteria is allowed to reproduce for 16 generations. A scientist examines the colony at the end of this time and notes that all the individuals are almost identical in all characteristics. This evidence suggests that the bacteria

This evidence suggests that the bacteria reproduce asexually

Explanation:

Bacteria reproduce asexually by binary fission. In binary fission the nucleoid and cytoplasm gets divided into 2 cells and cells produce are identical.

Binary fission is a programmed division in which first replication and then cell division or fission takes place.

The bacterial cell undergo semi-conservative mode of DNA replication. In this mode the DNA is exactly the parents as half of the DNA from parent strand is replicated via two strands of DNA.

Peripheral ring of plasma membrane forms invagination forming double membranous septum. This led to the equational division of the cell.

The colony of bacteria after 16 generation remains identical to parents because of the asexual reproduction in which semi conservative DNA replication and equal division of cell takes place