Mitosis is a fundamental process of cell division. Based on the provided reference, mitosis is a type of cell division that results in diploid cells when starting from a diploid cell.
Understanding Mitosis and Ploidy
Mitosis is the process by which a single eukaryotic cell divides into two identical daughter cells. Its primary role is growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. The question of whether mitosis is "haploid" or "diploid" isn't about the process itself possessing a ploidy level, but rather about the ploidy of the cells involved and the resulting daughter cells.
The provided reference clarifies the outcome:
"Mitosis is cell division which results in two diploid cells which are identical to each other."
This means that when a diploid cell undergoes mitosis, it produces two new cells that are also diploid and genetically identical to the original parent cell.
What Do Haploid and Diploid Mean?
- Diploid (2n): Cells that contain two complete sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent. Most somatic (body) cells in humans and other animals are diploid.
- Haploid (n): Cells that contain only one complete set of chromosomes. Gametes (sperm and egg cells) are haploid.
Mitosis and Ploidy Maintenance
While the reference focuses on the diploid outcome (common in somatic cells), it's important to note that mitosis can technically occur in haploid cells as well (though less common in complex animals). However, regardless of the starting ploidy, mitosis always aims to produce daughter cells with the same ploidy level as the parent cell. It maintains the chromosome number.
So, while mitosis doesn't change ploidy (unlike meiosis), the cells it typically involves and produces are diploid, as highlighted in the reference.
Key Takeaway
In the context described by the reference, mitosis is the process that yields diploid daughter cells from a diploid parent cell, ensuring genetic continuity and maintaining the chromosome number.
