What term describes the process by which cells divide for growth and repair?

The process by which cells divide for growth and repair is known as mitosis. During mitosis, a single cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the original cell. This process is fundamental for growth, allowing multicellular organisms to increase in size and replace damaged or dead cells.

In contrast to other processes, mitosis occurs in somatic cells (the non-reproductive cells of an organism), ensuring that the organism maintains its genetic integrity while it grows and repairs tissues. It involves several stages, including prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, culminating in cytokinesis, where the cytoplasm divides.

This process is distinct from meiosis, which is related to the formation of gametes (sperm and egg cells) and reduces the chromosome number by half, ensuring genetic diversity rather than repair or growth. Cell differentiation refers to the process in which unspecialized cells develop into specialized cells with distinct functions. Asexual reproduction involves creating offspring without the involvement of gametes and is a form of reproduction rather than repair or growth.