What type of cell division is necessary for growth and repair?

Mitosis is the type of cell division essential for growth and repair in multicellular organisms. During mitosis, a single parent cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the original cell. This process is crucial for the growth of tissues, as it allows for an increase in cell number and the replacement of damaged or dead cells.

In the context of growth, mitosis supports the development of new cells that lead to the increase in size of organs and structures in the body. When it comes to repair, mitosis enables the replenishment of cells that have been lost or injured, ensuring that tissues can heal effectively.

Meiosis, on the other hand, is specialized for sexual reproduction and results in gametes, which contain half the number of chromosomes. Budding and fragmentation are forms of asexual reproduction found in certain organisms, but they are not the mechanisms involved in growth and repair in human tissues. Thus, the necessity of mitosis for these vital processes clearly establishes it as the correct answer.