Question

A scientist conducted a study of an organism and found that its body cells contained 40 chromosomes. While conducting her observations, the scientist noticed that the cells were undergoing cell division. What difference would the scientist expect to observe between the body cells and the sex cells of the organism as they underwent cell division?

Body cells divide by mitosis for the growth and repair of cells, while sex cells divide by meiosis for sexual reproduction.


Body cells divide by mitosis for sexual reproduction, while sex cells divide by meiosis for the growth and repair of cells.


Body cells divide by meiosis for the growth and repair of cells, while sex cells divide by mitosis for sexual reproduction.


Body cells divide by meiosis for sexual reproduction, while sex cells divide by mitosis for the growth and repair of cells.

Answer 1

Body cells divide by mitosis for the growth and repair of cells, while sex cells divide by meiosis for sexual reproduction.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The difference that the scientist would expect to see between body cells and sex cells with respect to cell division is that body cells divide by mitosis for the growth and repair of cells, while sex cells divide by meiosis for sexual reproduction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The behavior of the different cell types with respect to their division depends on the functions that each type has.

1. Somatic cells are those that define the structure and function of the organism, forming tissues by binding together. The process of mitotic division —to obtain from an original cell two identical daughter cells— is important for the growth, development and repair of an individual's tissues.
2. Sex cells or gametes have half of the chromosomal charge —they divide by meiosis, a reductive cell division— and are involved in the process of sexual reproduction.

The characteristics described for each cell type explain why the other options are not correct.