Which process involves a cell dividing to create another identical cell for growth or repair?

The process that involves a cell dividing to create another identical cell for growth or repair is mitosis. During mitosis, a single cell undergoes a series of well-defined stages, ultimately resulting in two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the original cell. This process is crucial for growth, tissue repair, and in some cases, asexual reproduction.

Mitosis ensures that when a cell divides, each new cell receives an exact copy of the parent cell's DNA, maintaining genetic consistency across generations. This is particularly important in multicellular organisms, where cells continuously replace themselves to support growth and maintain the health of tissues.

Other processes listed, such as meiosis, binary fission, and regeneration, serve different functions. Meiosis is specialized for sexual reproduction, producing gametes with half the genetic material. Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction primarily used by prokaryotes and certain single-celled organisms, leading to two new, identical organisms rather than just cells. Regeneration refers to the ability of certain organisms to regrow lost body parts, involving complex biological processes but not strictly the division of cells in the way mitosis does for growth or repair.