Multiple Choice
In a typical diploid human somatic cell (2n = 46), how many chromosomes are present in each daughter cell immediately after mitosis is complete?
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16. Cell Division
Mitosis
Multiple Choice
In a human somatic cell entering mitosis, how many chromosomes are present just before mitosis begins (at the end of G2, after DNA replication)?
A
92 chromosomes
B
23 chromosomes
C
46 chromosomes
D
46 chromatids
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that a human somatic cell has 46 chromosomes in its diploid state before DNA replication (in G1 phase).
Understand that during the S phase of the cell cycle, each chromosome is replicated, resulting in two sister chromatids per chromosome, but the number of chromosomes remains the same because sister chromatids are joined at the centromere.
At the end of G2 phase, just before mitosis begins, the cell has duplicated its DNA, so each of the 46 chromosomes consists of two sister chromatids.
Therefore, the number of chromosomes is still 46, but the total number of chromatids is 92.
Conclude that the correct answer is 46 chromosomes, as chromosomes are counted by the number of centromeres, not chromatids.
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