Answer:
Because each daughter cell must contain an equal and correct amount of genetic material (DNA)
Step-by-step explanation:
Mitosis and Meiosis are both types of divisions that cells undergo. They both involve the production of new daughter cells. Each cell contains the information needed by it for its life processes. This information is stored in the genetic material known as DNA.
However, when a cell divides during mitosis and meiosis, two and four new daughter cells results respectively. These daughter cells need to contain the genetic material (DNA) that stores the genetic information needed for their survival. The cell ensures that each daughter cell that will result from the process of mitosis and meiosis contains this genetic material by undergoing a process called DNA REPLICATION before the start of the divisions (mitosis and meiosis).
DNA replication is the process of doubling or duplicating the information in the DNA. Hence, at the end of the replication process, the cell contains two copies of the genetic material (DNA) which separates into the daughter cells equally during cell division (mitosis and meiosis).
Protein synthesis does not need DNA replication as it involves using the information in the genetic material (DNA) to synthesize useful products (protein).