Final answer:
Cells produced by mitosis are diploid (2n), meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes. Mitosis is responsible for forming genetically identical daughter cells in somatic tissues, while haploid (n) cells are the result of meiosis, occurring in sex cell formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Are Cells Produced by Mitosis Diploid or Haploid?
When a student asks whether cells made by mitosis are 2n or n, they are inquiring about the ploidy level of the resulting cells after cell division. Mitosis is a process that occurs in somatic (body) cells to produce new cells that are essential for growth, development, and tissue repair. During mitosis, a single cell divides to form two genetically identical daughter cells. These daughter cells are diploid, which means they contain two sets of chromosomes, just like the original parent cell. In other words, mitotic division maintains the diploid state of cells, so the cells produced by mitosis are 2n, not n (haploid).
Haploid cells, designated by n, are sex cells such as eggs and sperm. These cells are produced through a different type of cell division called meiosis, which results in cells with half the number of chromosomes, thus being haploid. It is important to distinguish between mitosis and meiosis when considering the ploidy level of the resulting cells.
In summary, the cells made by mitosis are 2n, meaning they are diploid cells with two sets of chromosomes. This is contrasted with meiosis, where haploid cells (n) are produced.