Which of the following statements correctly distinguishes mitosis from meiosis in eukaryotic cells?

• A. Mitosis results in four daughter cells, while meiosis results in two daughter cells.
• B. Meiosis occurs in somatic cells, while mitosis occurs only in gametes.
• C. Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells, while meiosis produces four genetically unique haploid cells.
• D. Both mitosis and meiosis produce cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key differences between mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis is a process of cell division that results in two genetically identical diploid daughter cells, while meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that produces four genetically unique haploid cells.
2. Analyze the first statement: 'Mitosis results in four daughter cells, while meiosis results in two daughter cells.' This is incorrect because mitosis produces two daughter cells, and meiosis produces four daughter cells.
3. Evaluate the second statement: 'Meiosis occurs in somatic cells, while mitosis occurs only in gametes.' This is incorrect because mitosis occurs in somatic (body) cells, and meiosis occurs in germ cells to produce gametes (sperm and egg).
4. Examine the third statement: 'Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells, while meiosis produces four genetically unique haploid cells.' This is correct because mitosis maintains the chromosome number and produces identical cells, while meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half and introduces genetic variation.
5. Review the fourth statement: 'Both mitosis and meiosis produce cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.' This is incorrect because only meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half, while mitosis maintains the chromosome number.