Final answer:
Mitosis is a type of cell division resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells, each with a full set of chromosomes, which in humans is 46. It is crucial for growth and repair in multicellular organisms and differs from meiosis, which produces four haploid cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mitosis is a process of cell division which results in the production of two daughter cells from a single parent cell. The daughter cells are genetically identical to each other and to the original parent cell. Mitosis occurs in phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, followed by cytokinesis. During mitosis, replication of the somatic cell leads to the growth of an organism by increasing the number of cells. Each daughter cell inherits a full set of chromosomes; in humans, this means each daughter cell receives 46 chromosomes. This is in contrast to meiosis, where the cell division results in four genetically distinct haploid cells with half the number of chromosomes as the diploid parent cell.