Which statement correctly compares mitosis and meiosis in terms of chromosome number and DNA content?

Which statement correctly compares mitosis and meiosis in terms of chromosome number and DNA content?

• A. Mitosis yields two diploid identical cells; Meiosis yields four haploid genetically diverse cells.
• B. Mitosis yields two haploid identical cells; Meiosis yields four diploid identical cells.
• C. Mitosis yields four diploid identical cells; Meiosis yields two haploid identical cells.
• D. Mitosis yields two haploid identical cells; Meiosis yields two diploid identical cells.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how chromosome number and DNA content change through the two processes. In mitosis, a somatic cell copies its DNA and divides once, producing two daughter cells that keep the same chromosome number as the parent (diploid, 2n) and are essentially genetically identical to each other and to the parent. There is no recombination in this division, so their DNA sequences are the same (aside from rare mutations). In meiosis, the cell also starts with DNA replication, but then undergoes two rounds of division, halving the chromosome number to haploid (n). This yields four daughter cells, each with half the original chromosome set. Because crossing over and independent assortment occur, those four haploid cells are genetically diverse rather than identical to one another or to the parent. So the description that mitosis yields two diploid identical cells and meiosis yields four haploid genetically diverse cells aligns with how chromosome number and DNA content change in these processes.

The key idea is how chromosome number and DNA content change through the two processes. In mitosis, a somatic cell copies its DNA and divides once, producing two daughter cells that keep the same chromosome number as the parent (diploid, 2n) and are essentially genetically identical to each other and to the parent. There is no recombination in this division, so their DNA sequences are the same (aside from rare mutations).

In meiosis, the cell also starts with DNA replication, but then undergoes two rounds of division, halving the chromosome number to haploid (n). This yields four daughter cells, each with half the original chromosome set. Because crossing over and independent assortment occur, those four haploid cells are genetically diverse rather than identical to one another or to the parent.

So the description that mitosis yields two diploid identical cells and meiosis yields four haploid genetically diverse cells aligns with how chromosome number and DNA content change in these processes.