Which process yields two genetically identical daughter cells?

Which process yields two genetically identical daughter cells?

• A. Meiosis
• B. Binary fission
• C. Budding
• D. Mitosis

Answer: (D)

Two genetically identical daughter cells come from mitosis. In this process, the cell duplicates its DNA, and the identical sister chromatids are pulled apart evenly into two new nuclei. Cytokinesis then splits the cytoplasm, forming two separate cells that have the same chromosome set and gene content as the original cell (barring rare mutations). This exact copying and equal distribution of genetic material is what makes the daughter cells genetically identical. This differs from meiosis, which reduces the chromosome number by half and includes recombination, producing four nonidentical gametes. It also differs from binary fission, a prokaryotic division method that creates two cells too, but mitosis is the term used for the typical eukaryotic process that yields two identical daughter cells after a single division event.

Two genetically identical daughter cells come from mitosis. In this process, the cell duplicates its DNA, and the identical sister chromatids are pulled apart evenly into two new nuclei. Cytokinesis then splits the cytoplasm, forming two separate cells that have the same chromosome set and gene content as the original cell (barring rare mutations). This exact copying and equal distribution of genetic material is what makes the daughter cells genetically identical.

This differs from meiosis, which reduces the chromosome number by half and includes recombination, producing four nonidentical gametes. It also differs from binary fission, a prokaryotic division method that creates two cells too, but mitosis is the term used for the typical eukaryotic process that yields two identical daughter cells after a single division event.