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Multiple Choice
What are the principal differences between mitosis and meiosis?
A
Mitosis reduces the chromosome number by half, while meiosis maintains the chromosome number.
B
Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, while meiosis results in four genetically diverse daughter cells.
C
Mitosis occurs only in reproductive cells, while meiosis occurs in all body cells.
D
Mitosis involves two rounds of cell division, whereas meiosis involves only one.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that mitosis and meiosis are both processes of cell division, but they serve different purposes and occur in different types of cells.
Recognize that mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, maintaining the same chromosome number as the parent cell. It is primarily involved in growth, repair, and asexual reproduction, and occurs in somatic (body) cells.
Identify that meiosis results in four genetically diverse daughter cells, each with half the chromosome number of the parent cell. This process is crucial for sexual reproduction and occurs in germ cells to produce gametes (sperm and eggs).
Note that mitosis involves one round of cell division, whereas meiosis involves two rounds: meiosis I and meiosis II. This is a key difference that contributes to the reduction of chromosome number in meiosis.
Clarify that the statement 'Mitosis reduces the chromosome number by half, while meiosis maintains the chromosome number' is incorrect. In fact, meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half, while mitosis maintains it.