After the process of mitosis, if the resulting cells have 48 chromosomes, how many did the parent cell have? a. 48 b. 23 c. 92 d. 50
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: a. 48
Explanation:
Mitosis is a type of cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell. This process is essential for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in multicellular organisms. During mitosis, the parent cell duplicates its chromosomes so that each daughter cell receives a complete set.
If the resulting daughter cells each have 48 chromosomes, then the parent cell must also have had 48 chromosomes at the beginning of the process. This is because mitosis maintains the chromosome number of the original cell. The goal is to ensure that each new cell has the exact same genetic information as the parent cell.
Before mitosis begins, the cell goes through interphase, a preparatory stage where the DNA is replicated. Each chromosome is copied, forming identical sister chromatids that are joined at a region called the centromere. However, even though the DNA content doubles temporarily, the number of chromosomes does not double because the sister chromatids are still considered part of the same chromosome.
During the stages of mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase), the chromatids are separated and distributed evenly into the two new nuclei. Once cytokinesis occurs, dividing the cytoplasm, two complete cells are formed, each with the same number of chromosomes as the original parent cell.
Therefore, if each of the two daughter cells has 48 chromosomes after mitosis, the original parent cell must also have had 48 chromosomes. This preserves the diploid state of the organism and ensures genetic consistency across cells. Hence, the correct answer is a. 48.
