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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is one of the very important differences between mitosis and meiosis?
A
Mitosis occurs only in reproductive cells, while meiosis occurs in all body cells.
B
Mitosis reduces the chromosome number by half, while meiosis maintains the chromosome number.
C
Mitosis involves two rounds of cell division, while meiosis involves only one.
D
Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, while meiosis results in four genetically diverse daughter cells.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the basic purpose of mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis is a process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells, primarily for growth and repair in multicellular organisms. Meiosis, on the other hand, is a specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four genetically diverse daughter cells, and is crucial for sexual reproduction.
Next, consider the number of cell divisions involved in each process. Mitosis involves a single round of division, whereas meiosis includes two rounds of division: meiosis I and meiosis II. This is a key difference that contributes to the genetic diversity seen in meiosis.
Examine the chromosome number changes. In mitosis, the chromosome number is maintained, meaning the daughter cells have the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. In meiosis, the chromosome number is halved, which is essential for maintaining the species' chromosome number across generations when gametes fuse during fertilization.
Consider the genetic outcome of each process. Mitosis results in two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell, ensuring consistency in somatic cells. Meiosis results in four daughter cells that are genetically diverse due to processes like crossing over and independent assortment, which occur during meiosis I.
Finally, review the context of where these processes occur. Mitosis occurs in somatic (body) cells for growth and repair, while meiosis occurs in germ cells to produce gametes (sperm and eggs) for reproduction. This distinction is crucial for understanding the roles of these processes in an organism's life cycle.