What type of cell division is responsible for growth and repair in the body?

• A. Meiosis
• B. Binary fission
• C. Mitosis
• D. Fertilization

Answer: (C)

Mitosis is the type of cell division responsible for growth and repair in the body. During mitosis, a single cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells, allowing for an increase in cell number without changing the genetic content. This process is essential for various physiological functions, including tissue growth, replacement of dead or damaged cells, and overall maintenance of body tissues.

In contrast, meiosis is involved in the production of gametes for sexual reproduction, rather than growth or repair. Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction observed primarily in prokaryotic organisms, such as bacteria, where one cell divides into two. Fertilization is the fusion of gametes, leading to the formation of a new organism, rather than a mechanism for cell division and repair. Thus, mitosis specifically supports processes essential for growth and repair in multicellular organisms.