Daughter cells can be either diploid or haploid, depending on the type of cell division that produced them.
Daughter Cells and Cell Division
The ploidy (number of sets of chromosomes) of daughter cells is determined by whether they are produced through mitosis or meiosis.
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Mitosis: This type of cell division results in two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. If the parent cell is diploid (containing two sets of chromosomes, represented as 2n), then the daughter cells will also be diploid (2n). Mitosis is used for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction.
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Meiosis: This type of cell division results in four daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. If the parent cell is diploid (2n), then the daughter cells will be haploid (containing one set of chromosomes, represented as n). Meiosis is used for sexual reproduction to produce gametes (sperm and egg cells). The reference states that the four daughter cells are haploid and genetically distinct.
Summary
| Cell Division | Parent Cell Ploidy | Daughter Cell Ploidy | Daughter Cells |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitosis | Diploid (2n) | Diploid (2n) | Two, genetically identical |
| Meiosis | Diploid (2n) | Haploid (n) | Four, genetically distinct |
Therefore, whether daughter cells are diploid or haploid depends entirely on the type of cell division (mitosis or meiosis) that produced them.
