Cell division is the process by which a single cell splits into two new cells. This is essential for growth, repair, and reproduction in living organisms. There are two main types of cell division: mitosis, which produces identical cells for growth and repair, and meiosis, which creates cells for reproduction, like sperm and eggs. During mitosis, the cell's DNA is copied and then divided equally between the two new cells. This ensures that each new cell has the same genetic information as the original. In contrast, meiosis reduces the number of chromosomes by half, leading to genetic diversity in offspring.