Final answer:
Cells undergo mitosis or meiosis to create new cells for tissue growth and repair or for sexual reproduction, respectively. Meiosis introduces genetic diversity, an evolutionarily important factor, while mitosis results in genetically identical cells. DNA replication, transcription, and translation are vital cellular processes, and binary fission offers a simpler asexual reproduction method for prokaryotes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cells produce new cells for growth and repair through the processes of either mitosis or meiosis. Mitosis results in two genetically identical daughter cells and is used for growth and repair of tissues, while meiosis creates four genetically varied haploid gametes, contributing to the genetic diversity necessary for evolution. Gregor Mendel is known for formulating the fundamental laws of inheritance and using Punnett squares to predict offspring traits; these squares calculate the probability of an organism inheriting a particular genotype and thus expressing a corresponding phenotype.
DNA replication is the process by which a double-stranded DNA molecule is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules. Transcription and translation are key processes in gene expression where DNA is transcribed to mRNA, which is then translated into a polypeptide chain. Mutations that occur during DNA replication, meiosis, or due to external factors increase genetic variation within a population. DNA fingerprinting is a technique for identifying individuals by analyzing patterns in their DNA.
Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction seen in prokaryotic organisms, where a cell divides into two genetically identical cells. Unlike mitosis, which is a complex multi-phase process, binary fission is a simpler process that does not involve spindle fiber formation or the same extensive checks and balances.