Which of the following is an example of mitosis at work in plants?

• A. Pollen grains fusing with ovules during fertilization
• B. A leaf growing larger as its cells divide
• C. A seed developing into a new plant through meiosis
• D. A plant losing water through transpiration

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of mitosis. Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells. It is primarily involved in growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in multicellular organisms.
2. Step 2: Analyze the options provided. Look for the example that involves cell division leading to growth or repair, which is characteristic of mitosis.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the first option: 'Pollen grains fusing with ovules during fertilization.' This process is related to sexual reproduction and involves gametes, not mitosis.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the second option: 'A leaf growing larger as its cells divide.' This describes cell division contributing to growth, which is a direct example of mitosis at work.
5. Step 5: Evaluate the remaining options: 'A seed developing into a new plant through meiosis' and 'A plant losing water through transpiration.' Meiosis is a different type of cell division for producing gametes, and transpiration is a physiological process unrelated to cell division. Therefore, the correct example of mitosis is the second option.