What process do parent cells undergo to create generic clones in sporulation?

In the context of sporulation, the correct process that parent cells undergo to create genetic clones is mitosis. Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell. This process allows for the organism to produce specific spores, which are often dormant and can withstand adverse conditions.

Sporulation often refers to a reproductive strategy observed in certain fungi, bacteria, and plants, where cells can undergo mitosis to form spores. These spores are essentially clones of the parent cell, allowing for a rapid increase in the population when conditions become favorable.

Other processes like meiosis, binary fission, and regeneration differ significantly from mitosis. Meiosis is involved in sexual reproduction and results in the formation of gametes with half the chromosome number, thus contributing to genetic diversity rather than producing clones. Binary fission is typically seen in prokaryotic organisms and also results in clones, but it differs from mitosis in the method of division and is not referred to as sporulation. Regeneration involves the regrowth of lost or damaged tissues and doesn't lead to the creation of spores or clones in the same context as mitosis during sporulation.