After mitosis is completed in a human somatic cell, how many chromosomes are present in each daughter cell?

• A. 46
• B. 23
• C. 92
• D. 12

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that mitosis is a process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
2. Recall that human somatic cells are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes (one set from each parent). The total number of chromosomes in a human somatic cell is 46.
3. During mitosis, the parent cell duplicates its chromosomes during the S phase of the cell cycle, resulting in 92 chromatids. However, these chromatids are divided equally between the two daughter cells during the mitotic phase.
4. After mitosis is completed, each daughter cell receives one complete set of chromosomes, which means each daughter cell will have 46 chromosomes (the same as the original parent cell).
5. Verify that mitosis maintains the chromosome number in somatic cells, ensuring genetic consistency across cell generations.