Stem cells produce successive generations of stem cells through the process of ____.

A) mitosis
B) meiosis
C) differentiation
D) fertilization
E) maturation

Stem cells divide through mitosis to produce successive generations of stem cells. This is a key characteristic of stem cells, as it allows them to self-renew and maintain their undifferentiated state. Meiosis, on the other hand, is the process of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and eggs) for sexual reproduction. Differentiation is the process by which a cell becomes specialized for a particular function, while fertilization is the fusion of sperm and egg to form a zygote. Maturation usually refers to the process of becoming fully developed or mature, but it is not a specific biological process.