What is true about the daughter cells produced by mitosis?

• A. Genetically identical to the parent cell
• B. Genetically diverse due to crossing over
• C. Haploid and contain half the chromosomes
• D. Mutant forms of the parent cell

Answer: (A)

During mitosis, a somatic cell duplicates its DNA and then divides to form two nuclei that receive an identical set of chromosomes. The chromatids separate so each daughter cell gets the same genetic information as the parent. Because there is no crossing over or recombination during mitosis, there is no introduction of new genetic variation, so the offspring are genetically identical to the parent (aside from rare new mutations that could arise). Since most body cells are diploid, the daughter cells retain the same chromosome number, not half of it. They are not inherently mutants; mutation is not a defining outcome of mitosis. So the correct idea is that daughter cells are genetically identical to the parent cell.