Which statement correctly contrasts mitosis and meiosis?

Which statement correctly contrasts mitosis and meiosis?

• A. Mitosis yields four genetically diverse haploid gametes; meiosis yields two identical diploid somatic cells.
• B. Mitosis produces haploid cells; meiosis produces diploid cells.
• C. Mitosis results in two identical diploid somatic cells; meiosis yields two identical diploid somatic cells.
• D. Mitosis maintains the chromosome number in each division, producing two identical diploid somatic cells; meiosis halves the chromosome number and yields four haploid, genetically diverse gametes.

Answer: (D)

Mitosis and meiosis differ in what they do to chromosome number and in the genetic makeup of the daughter cells. In mitosis, a diploid cell copies its DNA and divides once to produce two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent and keep the same chromosome count. These are somatic cells used for growth and tissue repair. In meiosis, the cell goes through two rounds of division after DNA replication. Homologous chromosomes pair and can exchange genetic material, then the two successive divisions result in four haploid cells that are not genetically identical to each other or to the parent. The chromosome number is halved, and these haploid cells become gametes. So the statement that mitosis preserves the chromosome number and yields two identical diploid somatic cells, while meiosis reduces the chromosome number and yields four haploid, genetically diverse gametes, best captures the contrast.

Mitosis and meiosis differ in what they do to chromosome number and in the genetic makeup of the daughter cells. In mitosis, a diploid cell copies its DNA and divides once to produce two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent and keep the same chromosome count. These are somatic cells used for growth and tissue repair.

In meiosis, the cell goes through two rounds of division after DNA replication. Homologous chromosomes pair and can exchange genetic material, then the two successive divisions result in four haploid cells that are not genetically identical to each other or to the parent. The chromosome number is halved, and these haploid cells become gametes.

So the statement that mitosis preserves the chromosome number and yields two identical diploid somatic cells, while meiosis reduces the chromosome number and yields four haploid, genetically diverse gametes, best captures the contrast.