What is the process of cell division called?

The process of cell division is correctly identified as mitosis, which is a fundamental mechanism that separates the duplicated chromosomes into two identical daughter cells. Mitosis is crucial for growth, development, and repair in multicellular organisms, ensuring that each new cell receives an exact copy of the parent cell's genetic material.

During mitosis, a single cell undergoes a series of stages—prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase—that facilitate the separation of chromosomes. This process results in two genetically identical cells, maintaining the chromosome number of the original cell.

Other processes related to cell division include meiosis, which is a type of division that reduces the chromosome number by half and is essential for sexual reproduction. Cytokinesis, while part of the overall cell division process, specifically refers to the final step where the cytoplasm divides, resulting in two distinct cells after mitosis or meiosis. Fission generally refers to a form of cell division in single-celled organisms and is not typically used to describe the structured process of cell division in multicellular organisms. Thus, mitosis is the most accurate term when discussing the standard process of cell division.