Which diagram best represents mitotic cell division?

• A. A parent cell divides once to produce two genetically identical diploid daughter cells.
• B. A parent cell divides twice to produce four genetically unique haploid cells.
• C. A parent cell divides to produce two daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes.
• D. A parent cell fuses with another cell to form a zygote.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of mitotic cell division: Mitosis is a process where a single parent cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells. This process is essential for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in multicellular organisms.
2. Recall the chromosome number in mitosis: The parent cell and the daughter cells are diploid, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes. The chromosome number remains the same after division.
3. Compare mitosis to other types of cell division: Mitosis differs from meiosis, which involves two rounds of division and produces four genetically unique haploid cells. Mitosis does not involve chromosome reduction or genetic recombination.
4. Eliminate incorrect options: The option describing two divisions and haploid cells refers to meiosis, not mitosis. The option about forming a zygote refers to fertilization, not cell division. The option about halving chromosome number is incorrect for mitosis.
5. Select the correct description: The correct representation of mitotic cell division is 'A parent cell divides once to produce two genetically identical diploid daughter cells.' This matches the characteristics of mitosis.