* Growth: From a single fertilized egg, a multicellular organism develops. This growth is possible because cells divide, creating more cells to increase the size and complexity of the organism.

* Repair: When tissues are damaged, cell division helps replace lost or damaged cells. This process is essential for healing wounds and maintaining the integrity of the body.

Mitosis, a specific type of cell division, is crucial for this growth and repair because it ensures that:

* The genetic material (DNA) is replicated and equally distributed to the daughter cells. This maintains the genetic consistency of the organism.

* Two identical daughter cells are produced, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

In summary: Cell division and mitosis are essential for the survival, growth, and maintenance of multicellular organisms. They allow for the production of new cells to replace old or damaged cells, ensuring that the organism can continue to function properly.