What is the main difference between meiosis and mitosis regarding cell division?

The main difference between meiosis and mitosis regarding cell division lies in the outcome of the process and the type of cells produced. Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that occurs to produce gametes—sperm and egg cells—in organisms that reproduce sexually. During meiosis, the chromosome number is halved, resulting in four haploid cells, each with half the original number of chromosomes. This is essential for maintaining the correct chromosome number across generations when fertilization occurs.

In contrast, mitosis is a process that results in two identical diploid cells that are genetically identical to the original cell. Mitosis is the method of cell division used for growth and repair within an organism, and it maintains the full set of chromosomes in the daughter cells.

Thus, option C accurately reflects the process of meiosis, highlighting that it produces four cells, each with half the number of chromosomes compared to the original cell. This distinction is crucial for understanding the reproductive strategies of organisms and how genetic variation is introduced into populations through sexual reproduction.