What is the primary outcome of mitosis?

What is the primary outcome of mitosis?

• A. Genetic diversity
• B. Production of gametes
• C. Two identical daughter cells
• D. One diploid cell

Answer: (C)

The primary outcome of mitosis is the production of two identical daughter cells. During mitosis, a single eukaryotic cell divides to form two new cells that have the same genetic material as the original cell. This process is crucial for growth, development, and repairing tissues in multicellular organisms, as it ensures that each daughter cell receives an exact copy of the parent cell's DNA. Mitosis involves a series of well-defined stages—prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase—culminating in cytokinesis, where the cell physically splits into two separate but genetically identical cells. This precision in replication maintains genetic continuity, which is essential for proper cellular function and organismal development. In contrast, genetic diversity and the production of gametes are outcomes associated with meiosis, the process that leads to the formation of reproductive cells with half the number of chromosomes. One diploid cell is an intermediate stage prior to mitosis but not the end result, as mitosis is specifically about cell division leading to two diploid daughter cells. Thus, the defining characteristic of mitosis is the generation of two identical daughter cells, making this option the correct answer.

The primary outcome of mitosis is the production of two identical daughter cells. During mitosis, a single eukaryotic cell divides to form two new cells that have the same genetic material as the original cell. This process is crucial for growth, development, and repairing tissues in multicellular organisms, as it ensures that each daughter cell receives an exact copy of the parent cell's DNA.

Mitosis involves a series of well-defined stages—prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase—culminating in cytokinesis, where the cell physically splits into two separate but genetically identical cells. This precision in replication maintains genetic continuity, which is essential for proper cellular function and organismal development.

In contrast, genetic diversity and the production of gametes are outcomes associated with meiosis, the process that leads to the formation of reproductive cells with half the number of chromosomes. One diploid cell is an intermediate stage prior to mitosis but not the end result, as mitosis is specifically about cell division leading to two diploid daughter cells. Thus, the defining characteristic of mitosis is the generation of two identical daughter cells, making this option the correct answer.