Question

Mitosis, the process by which the nucleus of a cell divides into two nuclei, is essential to life because it allows for the formation of new cells. Which of the following statements correctly describes the process of mitosis?

1) Mitosis provides the energy required for the formation of new cells
2) Mitosis controls the cell functions to ensure the successful development of new cells.
3) Mitosis results in the formation of two cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.
4) Mitosis forms cells that are genetically different from the parent cell, resulting in an increase in genetic diversity.

Answer 1

Mitosis leads to the formation of two cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell, through the equal separation and sorting of chromosomes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct description of the process of mitosis is that mitosis results in the formation of two cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. This is because during mitosis, the chromosomes are sorted and equally separated, ensuring that each of the two resulting daughter cells will have an identical set of genetic information as the original parent cell. The copied DNA inside the nucleus is divided into two complete sets during mitosis, and this ensures each new cell has a complete set of genetic instructions after the division.

Comparing mitosis to meiosis highlights the singular purpose of mitosis in producing two genetically identical nuclei usually partitioned into two new cells. In contrast, meiosis involves two nuclear divisions and results in four genetically diverse nuclei. Therefore, the statement that mitosis forms cells that are genetically different from the parent cell, resulting in an increase in genetic diversity (option 4), is not correct as it describes the outcome of meiosis, not mitosis.