What is the process of ordinary cell division called?

The process of ordinary cell division is called mitosis. This fundamental process allows a single cell to divide into two identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the original cell. Mitosis is crucial for growth, development, and tissue repair in multicellular organisms. It consists of several stages—prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase—each playing an essential role in ensuring that the genetic material is accurately replicated and divided.

In contrast, meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that occurs in the production of gametes (sperm and eggs), resulting in cells with half the original number of chromosomes, which is necessary for sexual reproduction. Fission and binary division typically refer to processes seen in prokaryotic organisms (like bacteria) or simpler life forms, where a cell divides into two equally sized daughter cells, but these processes are not considered to be the standard form of cell division in eukaryotic organisms like plants and animals.