Which type of cell division produces two genetically identical daughter cells?

Mitosis is the type of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells. This process is fundamental for growth, development, and tissue repair in multicellular organisms. During mitosis, a single somatic cell divides through a series of well-defined stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. The genetic material, or DNA, is replicated and then evenly distributed between the two new cells, ensuring that each daughter cell is a clone of the original cell, both in terms of the quantity and quality of genetic material.

In contrast, meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that occurs in the formation of gametes (sperm and eggs) and results in four genetically unique daughter cells, each having half the number of chromosomes compared to the original cell. This process introduces genetic diversity through independent assortment and crossing over, which is fundamentally different from the purpose of mitosis.

Transcription and translation are not forms of cell division at all. Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template, while translation involves the synthesis of proteins from an RNA template. These processes are crucial for gene expression but do not divide cells or produce daughter cells. Thus, mitosis is the only option that accurately describes