Which of the following statements about mitosis is correct?

• A. Mitosis produces somatic cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.
• B. Mitosis produces four daughter cells from one parent cell.
• C. Mitosis occurs only in prokaryotic cells.
• D. Mitosis results in the formation of gametes with half the number of chromosomes.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the process of mitosis. Mitosis is a type of cell division that occurs in eukaryotic cells, resulting in two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. This process is essential for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in multicellular organisms.
2. Step 2: Analyze the first statement: 'Mitosis produces somatic cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.' This is correct because mitosis ensures that the daughter cells have the same number and type of chromosomes as the parent cell, maintaining genetic consistency.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the second statement: 'Mitosis produces four daughter cells from one parent cell.' This is incorrect because mitosis produces only two daughter cells. The production of four daughter cells occurs in meiosis, not mitosis.
4. Step 4: Assess the third statement: 'Mitosis occurs only in prokaryotic cells.' This is incorrect because prokaryotic cells do not undergo mitosis. Instead, they divide through a simpler process called binary fission. Mitosis occurs exclusively in eukaryotic cells.
5. Step 5: Examine the fourth statement: 'Mitosis results in the formation of gametes with half the number of chromosomes.' This is incorrect because gametes are formed through meiosis, not mitosis. Meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half, while mitosis maintains the chromosome number.