What term describes the process by which cells divide to form two identical daughter cells?

What term describes the process by which cells divide to form two identical daughter cells?

• A. Meiosis
• B. Mitosis
• C. Apoptosis
• D. Cytokinesis

Answer: (B)

The process described, where cells divide to create two identical daughter cells, is known as mitosis. Mitosis is a fundamental mechanism of cell division that enables growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in organisms. During mitosis, the chromosome number remains constant, meaning that each daughter cell receives an exact copy of the parent cell's genetic material, ensuring that they are genetically identical. Mitosis involves several distinct phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, followed by cytokinesis, which is the final separation of the cytoplasm and its contents into two separate cells. It is crucial for the maintenance of genetic consistency across cell generations. While other terms like meiosis refer to a different type of cell division that leads to the formation of gametes (sex cells) with half the original number of chromosomes, apoptosis signifies programmed cell death, which is not related to cell division. Cytokinesis, although closely tied to the process of mitosis, is itself the physical division of the cytoplasm following mitotic division. Thus, mitosis is the most accurate term for the entire process of cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells.

The process described, where cells divide to create two identical daughter cells, is known as mitosis. Mitosis is a fundamental mechanism of cell division that enables growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in organisms. During mitosis, the chromosome number remains constant, meaning that each daughter cell receives an exact copy of the parent cell's genetic material, ensuring that they are genetically identical.

Mitosis involves several distinct phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, followed by cytokinesis, which is the final separation of the cytoplasm and its contents into two separate cells. It is crucial for the maintenance of genetic consistency across cell generations.

While other terms like meiosis refer to a different type of cell division that leads to the formation of gametes (sex cells) with half the original number of chromosomes, apoptosis signifies programmed cell death, which is not related to cell division. Cytokinesis, although closely tied to the process of mitosis, is itself the physical division of the cytoplasm following mitotic division. Thus, mitosis is the most accurate term for the entire process of cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells.