During which cellular process do parent cells divide to give rise to daughter cells?

The process in which parent cells divide to give rise to daughter cells encompasses both mitosis and meiosis.

Mitosis is responsible for producing two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell, playing a vital role in growth, development, and tissue repair in multicellular organisms. This process involves a series of phases that ensure accurate DNA replication and equal distribution of genetic material to the daughter cells.

Meiosis, on the other hand, is a specialized form of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms. It involves two rounds of division and results in four non-identical daughter cells, each with half the chromosome number of the parent cell. This is crucial for the formation of gametes (sperm and eggs), facilitating genetic diversity through processes such as crossing over and independent assortment.

Both processes are fundamental for cell reproduction, whether for replacement and growth (mitosis) or for sexual reproduction (meiosis), thus making the choice that includes both mitosis and meiosis the correct one. Binary fission is a simpler division process found in prokaryotic organisms, while cell differentiation refers to the process by which cells become specialized, rather than dividing.