Problem 9 - Biology Concepts and Applications

Question

After mitosis, the chromosome number of descendant cells is ___ the parent cell's. a. the same as b. one-half of c. rearranged compared to d. doubled compared to

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The chromosome number of descendant cells is the same as the parent cell's.

Step 1: Understanding Mitosis

Mitosis is a process of cell division that results in two daughter cells, each having the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Step 2: Analyzing Chromosome Number

During mitosis, the chromosomes are duplicated and then equally divided between the two new cells. Therefore, the chromosome number in each daughter cell is maintained the same as the parent cell.

Step 3: Conclusion

Given that mitosis keeps the chromosome number constant, we can conclude that after mitosis, the chromosome number of descendant cells is the same as the parent cell's.

Key Concepts

Cell Division

Cell division is a fundamental process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells. It is essential for growth, repairing damaged tissues, and reproduction in living organisms.

• Mitosis is a type of cell division responsible for somatic (non-reproductive) cells.
• It involves several stages including prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, followed by cytoplasm division.
• It ensures that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.

Understanding how and why cells divide helps us grasp the balance of life in tissues and organisms. Through mitosis, organisms can regenerate, develop, and maintain tissue continuity without changing the chromosome number in the cells.

Chromosome Duplication

Chromosome duplication occurs before the actual division of the cell, ensuring each daughter cell has the correct number of chromosomes. This process is crucial for genetic consistency and involves the doubling of the chromosome number during the S phase of the cell cycle.

• Before Mitosis, each chromosome in the cell's nucleus duplicates itself.
• This duplication event results in two sister chromatids for each chromosome, which are identical copies.
• Without this crucial step, daughter cells would end up with half the required number of chromosomes, leading to genetic instability.

Once duplication is complete, mitosis ensures that duplicated chromosomes are evenly distributed, maintaining the genetic integrity required for normal cell function.

Daughter Cells

Daughter cells are the final product of cell division. In mitosis, each parent cell divides to produce two daughter cells that are genetically identical to each other and the parent cell.

• Genetic Consistency is maintained as each daughter cell receives an exact copy of the parent cell's chromosomes.
• This identical genetic setup means that the daughter cells can successfully perform the functions the parent cell could, contributing to the organism's normal functioning.

The process of forming daughter cells is integral to growth, repair, and asexual reproduction, ensuring the survival and maintenance of species without genetic variation within the same generation.