What type of cell division is essential for growth and repair?

Mitosis is the type of cell division that is essential for growth and repair in multicellular organisms. During mitosis, a single cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the original cell. This process is vital for tissue growth, development, and the replacement of damaged or dead cells.

In organisms, when growth occurs—such as in childhood or healing after an injury—mitosis allows for the duplication of cells to increase mass and repair tissues efficiently. For example, when skin is cut, mitosis enables new skin cells to be formed, facilitating the healing process.

In contrast, meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that occurs only in the formation of gametes (sperm and egg cells) and is not directly involved in growth or repair. Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction primarily seen in prokaryotes like bacteria, leading to the reproduction of the organism rather than contributing to growth or repair within a multicellular system. Cell differentiation is a process where cells become specialized and is not itself a method of division; rather, it typically occurs after mitosis when cells take on specific functions.