In mitosis, are the daughter cells genetically identical to the parent cell (assuming no mutations occur)?

• A. No; mitosis produces four genetically distinct daughter cells due to crossing over.
• B. No; mitosis halves the chromosome number to produce haploid daughter cells.
• C. Yes; mitosis produces two daughter cells with the same chromosome number and genetic information as the parent cell.
• D. Yes; but only if DNA replication occurs after cytokinesis rather than before mitosis.

Answer: (C)