Final answer:
During meiosis, which produces gametes, the number of chromosomes in daughter cells is half the number of chromosomes in the mother cell. This process ensures genetic diversity and the maintenance of the species-specific chromosome number across generations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number of chromosomes in daughter cells is the same as in the mother cell when referring to mitosis. However, the context given by the review questions suggests we are discussing meiosis, which is a type of cell division that produces four haploid daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes compared to the original diploid mother cell. A diploid cell contains twice the number of chromosomes as a haploid cell; thus, each haploid cell will have half as many chromosomes as the original diploid cell.
In meiosis, a diploid parental cell undergoes two stages of cell division. The result is four genetically unique haploid daughter cells. These haploid cells are gametes and will contribute to the genetic material of the next generation once fertilization occurs. In human cells, this means that from a parent cell with 46 chromosomes, meiosis will produce gametes with 23 chromosomes.