Multiple Choice
In a typical mitotic division of a single somatic cell, how many cells are present at the beginning of mitosis (prophase)?
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16. Cell Division
Mitosis
Multiple Choice
In a typical human somatic cell, how many chromosomes are present at the beginning of mitosis (prophase)?
A
23 chromosomes (each consisting of two sister chromatids)
B
92 chromosomes (each consisting of one chromatid)
C
46 chromosomes (each consisting of two sister chromatids)
D
46 chromosomes (each consisting of one chromatid)
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that a typical human somatic cell is diploid, meaning it contains 46 chromosomes in total (23 pairs).
Understand that before mitosis begins, during the S phase of interphase, each chromosome is replicated, resulting in two sister chromatids joined at the centromere.
At the beginning of mitosis (prophase), each chromosome consists of two sister chromatids, but they are still counted as one chromosome because they are joined together.
Therefore, the number of chromosomes at prophase remains 46, but each chromosome is composed of two sister chromatids.
This means the correct description is 46 chromosomes, each consisting of two sister chromatids.
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