What are the two types of cell division?

Mitosis and meiosis are the two main types of cell division that occur in eukaryotic organisms. Mitosis is responsible for the process of somatic cell division, where a single cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells, maintaining the same number of chromosomes as the original cell. This process is crucial for growth, development, and tissue repair.

Meiosis, on the other hand, is a specialized form of cell division that occurs in the formation of gametes, such as sperm and eggs. During meiosis, a single diploid cell undergoes two rounds of division, resulting in four genetically diverse haploid cells, which have half the number of chromosomes. This reduction in chromosome number is essential for sexual reproduction, as it ensures that when two gametes fuse during fertilization, the resulting zygote has the correct diploid number of chromosomes.

This differentiation in the processes and outcomes of mitosis and meiosis highlights their unique roles in an organism's life cycle, making the understanding of both types of cell division fundamental in biology.