Cell division is a fundamental biological process where a single cell divides to form two or more daughter cells. The primary purpose of cell division is growth, repair, and reproduction in organisms.
There are two main types of cell division:
- Mitosis: This occurs in somatic cells and produces two genetically identical daughter cells.
- Meiosis: This occurs in germ cells and results in four genetically diverse gametes, each with half the number of chromosomes of the original cell.
Mitosis involves several stages, such as prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, ensuring the accurate distribution of chromosomes to the daughter cells. On the other hand, meiosis includes two consecutive divisions, Meiosis I and Meiosis II, promoting genetic diversity.