What are the two types of cell division?

The two types of cell division are mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis is the process by which a single cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells, maintaining the same chromosome number as the parent cell. This type of division is essential for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in organisms. In contrast, meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four genetically diverse gametes (sperm or eggs). This process is crucial for sexual reproduction, enabling genetic diversity through the combination of genetic material from two parents.

Understanding these two types of cell division is fundamental in fields such as genetics, biology, and biotechnology, as they influence inheritance patterns and the reproductive strategies of organisms.