What type of growth occurs due to an increase in cell number?

The correct choice reflects the concept of hyperplasia, which specifically refers to an increase in the number of cells within a tissue or organ. This process contributes to the overall growth of an organism or specific body parts during development. Hyperplasia can occur in various contexts, such as in childhood growth, tissue repair, and hormonal responses, where there is an increase in cellular proliferation leading to the expansion of a tissue.

Hyperextension, on the other hand, relates to movement beyond the normal range, typically in joints, and does not pertain to growth in terms of cell number. Accretion describes the process of growth through the accumulation of material, usually extracellular matrix or mass rather than an increase in cell quantity. Hypertrophy, in contrast, refers to the increase in the size of existing cells, which leads to an overall enlargement of an organ or tissue without necessarily increasing the cell count. Understanding these distinctions highlights why hyperplasia is the right term for growth associated with an increase in cell number.