How do cells divide?

Depending on the type of cells, they may use two different ways to divide – mitosis or meiosis. 

Non-reproductive or somatic cells such as skin, hair, muscle, and gut cells, divide by mitosis. In this process, the parent cell divides into two daughter cells. Both daughter cells are identical to the parent cells and have two complete cells of chromosomes. This type of cell division is vital for growth, development, and repair. 

Reproductive cells divide by meiosis to create sex cells such as female egg cells or male sperm cells. In this process, the cell undergoes two consecutive divisions, resulting in four daughter cells. Each of the daughter cells has half the number of chromosomes as the parent cells. The genetic information in each daughter cell is unique from each other as well as the parent cell. This type of cell division is crucial for sexual reproduction.