Cell division is the process of a biological cell (called a mother cell) dividing into two daughter cells. This leads to growth in multicellular organisms (the growth of tissue) and to procreation (vegetative reproduction) in unicellular organisms.
- Binary fission is the form of cell division used by prokaryotic cells.
- Mitosis is the most common form of eukaryotic cell division. A cell which has reached certain parameters or conditions (size, volume, stored energy, environmental factors, etc.) will replicate its entire nuclear DNA compliment and divide into two (usually equal) daughter cells. Both cells remain diploid or haploid, depending on the mother cell.
- Meiosis is the division of a diploid cell into (four) haploid ones. This cell division is found in multicellular organisms to produce haploid gametes, which can later fuse to form a diploid cell called a zygote.
- See also : cell cycle