Why are the parent and daughter cells different in mitosis compared to meiosis?

• A. Mitosis involves two rounds of cell division, whereas meiosis involves only one.
• B. Mitosis results in genetically identical daughter cells, while meiosis results in genetically diverse daughter cells.
• C. Mitosis produces haploid cells, whereas meiosis produces diploid cells.
• D. Mitosis occurs only in reproductive cells, while meiosis occurs in somatic cells.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the basic definitions: 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, creating four haploid cells, each genetically distinct from the parent cell, commonly involved in the production of gametes.
2. Clarify the number of cell divisions: Mitosis involves one round of cell division, resulting in two identical daughter cells. Meiosis involves two rounds of cell division, meiosis I and meiosis II, resulting in four genetically diverse daughter cells.
3. Examine the genetic outcome: In mitosis, the daughter cells are genetically identical to the parent cell because the process involves the replication of chromosomes and their equal distribution. In meiosis, genetic diversity is introduced through processes like crossing over and independent assortment, leading to daughter cells that are genetically different from the parent cell.
4. Consider the chromosome number: Mitosis maintains the diploid chromosome number (2n) in the daughter cells, meaning they have the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half, producing haploid cells (n), which is essential for sexual reproduction.
5. Identify the types of cells involved: Mitosis occurs in somatic cells, which are all the cells forming the body of an organism except for the reproductive cells. Meiosis occurs in germ cells, which are involved in the production of gametes (sperm and eggs) for sexual reproduction.