What is the process of dividing a cell into two identical cells called?

The process of dividing a cell into two identical cells is called mitosis. Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two daughter cells, each possessing the same number of chromosomes as the original cell. This process is crucial for growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction in some organisms.

During mitosis, the cell undergoes several stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, which ensure that the genetic material is accurately replicated and distributed. Following mitosis, cytokinesis occurs, where the cytoplasm of the parent cell divides, completing the formation of two separate daughter cells.

Meiosis, on the other hand, is a specialized form of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and eggs) and results in cells with half the original number of chromosomes. Fission refers to a simpler form of division seen in prokaryotic organisms, like bacteria, which does not involve the complex stages of mitosis. Thus, mitosis accurately describes the process of producing two identical daughter cells.