Here's why:
* Mitosis is essential for growth and repair in all organisms, regardless of their mode of reproduction. Whether an organism reproduces sexually or asexually, its cells need to divide to:
* Grow: From a single fertilized egg to a multicellular organism, mitosis is crucial for increasing the number of cells.
* Repair: When tissues are damaged, mitosis replaces lost or damaged cells.
* Asexual reproduction uses mitosis, but it is not the only process involved. Asexual reproduction creates offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. This often involves mitosis to create the new individual.
Examples:
* Humans reproduce sexually, but they use mitosis for growth and repair.
* Bacteria reproduce asexually using binary fission, which is a simplified form of mitosis.
In summary: While mitosis is involved in asexual reproduction, it is a fundamental cellular process essential for all living organisms.