What is the process called by which a cell divides to form daughter cells during growth and reproduction?

The process by which a cell divides to form daughter cells during growth and reproduction is called cell division. This is a broad term that encompasses various mechanisms by which cells replicate and split. Cell division is essential for growth, repair, and reproduction in organisms.

One specific type of cell division is mitosis, which is the process where a single cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells, typically employed for growth and tissue repair in multicellular organisms. However, "cell division" is the overarching term that includes mitosis, as well as other forms such as meiosis, which is involved in the formation of gametes.

Cell differentiation, on the other hand, refers to the process wherein precursor or stem cells develop into specialized cell types with distinct functions. Fission typically refers to a form of asexual reproduction seen in single-celled organisms where the organism splits into two or more parts, but it is not as general a term for all types of cell division.

Thus, while mitosis and other processes are forms of cell division, the correct answer encapsulates the overall concept more accurately.