Mitosis occurs in which type of cells?

• A. Bacterial cells
• B. Gametes
• C. Prokaryotic cells
• D. Somatic cells

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of mitosis: Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth.
2. Identify the types of cells involved in mitosis: Mitosis occurs in somatic cells, which are any cells forming the body of an organism, excluding gametes (sperm and egg cells).
3. Differentiate between somatic cells and other cell types: Somatic cells are distinct from gametes, which undergo meiosis, a different type of cell division. Bacterial cells and prokaryotic cells do not undergo mitosis; they divide by binary fission.
4. Recognize the characteristics of somatic cells: Somatic cells are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent. This is crucial for maintaining genetic consistency during mitosis.
5. Conclude why mitosis is specific to somatic cells: Mitosis ensures that each daughter cell receives an exact copy of the parent cell's DNA, which is essential for growth, repair, and maintenance in multicellular organisms.