Which process is essential for the growth and repair of tissues in multicellular organisms?

Mitosis is the process that is essential for the growth and repair of tissues in multicellular organisms. This type of cell division allows for the replication of somatic cells, resulting in two identical daughter cells. This is crucial as it enables organisms to grow by increasing the number of cells, replace damaged or dead cells, and maintain tissue health and function.

In multicellular organisms, tissues are composed of various cell types that must be replenished regularly to sustain overall health and functionality. For instance, when you get a cut on your skin, mitosis is responsible for producing new skin cells to heal the wound. Similarly, in growth phases of development, mitosis contributes significantly to the increase in size and cell number.

Other processes, such as meiosis, serve different functions, mainly related to the production of gametes for sexual reproduction. Apoptosis is a programmed cell death mechanism that helps eliminate unwanted or damaged cells rather than producing new ones. Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction seen in unicellular organisms like bacteria, which is not applicable to the growth and repair in multicellular systems. Thus, mitosis stands out as the key process for tissue growth and repair in multicellular organisms.