In what way is mitosis similar to meiosis?

• A. Both include two rounds of cell division.
• B. Both occur only in reproductive cells.
• C. Both involve the division of a parent cell into two daughter cells.
• D. Both processes result in the formation of genetically identical cells.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the basic definitions of mitosis and meiosis. 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. Meiosis, on the other hand, is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four daughter cells, each genetically distinct from the parent cell, and is essential for sexual reproduction.
2. Identify the similarities between mitosis and meiosis. Both processes involve the division of a parent cell into daughter cells, which is a fundamental aspect of both types of cell division.
3. Consider the stages involved in each process. Both mitosis and meiosis include stages such as prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, although meiosis has two rounds of these stages (meiosis I and meiosis II) while mitosis has only one.
4. Examine the genetic outcomes of each process. Mitosis results in two genetically identical daughter cells, while meiosis results in four genetically diverse daughter cells. This difference is crucial for understanding the role of each process in growth and reproduction.
5. Reflect on the context in which each process occurs. Mitosis occurs in somatic cells for growth and repair, while meiosis occurs in germ cells to produce gametes for sexual reproduction. Despite these differences, the fundamental mechanism of cell division is a shared feature.