Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Mitosis is a vegetative, equational cell division process by which a single eukaryotic somatic cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells.
The primary purpose of mitosis is growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us examine the stages of chromosome replication and distribution during mitosis:
During the S-phase of interphase, DNA replication occurs, doubling the amount of DNA without changing the chromosome number. Each chromosome now consists of two sister chromatids.
During prophase and metaphase, these duplicated chromosomes condense and align along the equatorial plate of the cell.
During anaphase, the sister chromatids are pulled apart by spindle fibers toward opposite poles of the cell. Each sister chromatid is now considered an independent chromosome.
During telophase and cytokinesis, the cell divides its cytoplasm, forming two new nuclei around the separated sets of chromosomes.
Because the duplicated chromosomes are split equally between the two daughter cells, each daughter cell receives exactly the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
- For example, if a diploid (\(2n\)) parent cell divides by mitosis, it produces two diploid (\(2n\)) daughter cells.
By contrast, meiosis is a reductional division where the chromosome number is halved (\(n\)) to produce gametes.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (D).