Which process involves the splitting of a cell into two identical daughter cells?

The process that involves the splitting of a cell into two identical daughter cells is mitosis. Mitosis is a form of cell division that results in two daughter cells, each having the same number of chromosomes and identical genetic material as the original cell. It is a critical mechanism for growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction in multicellular organisms.

In mitosis, the cell undergoes a series of phases including prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, ultimately leading to cytokinesis, where the cytoplasm divides, resulting in the formation of two separate cells. This process ensures genetic consistency, which is essential for maintaining the function of tissues.

Meiosis, on the other hand, is a different form of cell division that results in four genetically diverse daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes of the original cell, and is essential for sexual reproduction. Binary fission is a form of asexual reproduction primarily seen in prokaryotes, such as bacteria, which also results in two daughter cells but differs from mitosis in terms of process and cellular structure. Cloning generally refers to the creation of a genetically identical copy of an organism or cell, which may involve more complex processes and techniques beyond the straightforward division