Here's why:

* Mitosis is responsible for the growth and repair of tissues, including the gonads themselves. It produces two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. This is important for maintaining a healthy population of germ cells within the gonads.

* Meiosis is specifically the process that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells). It involves two rounds of division, resulting in four daughter cells that are genetically different from the parent cell. This genetic variation is crucial for sexual reproduction.

So, both mitosis and meiosis are essential processes that occur within the gonads for different reasons.