Question

Diploid somatic cells is divided by (a) Meiosis (b) Mitosis only (c) Both meiosis and mitosis. (d) None of these

Short answer

The correct answer is (b) Mitosis only.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Somatic Cells

Somatic cells are the cells that form the building blocks of the body and they are non-reproductive. They possess a characteristic feature of having 2 sets of chromosomes, which is why they are termed diploid cells.

Understanding Mitosis

Mitosis is a process where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells (cell division). The number of chromosomes in newly formed cells remain the same as in the parent cell.

Understanding Meiosis

In the contrary, Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in the parent cell by half and produces four gamete cells. This process is required to produce egg and sperm cells for sexual reproduction.

Conclusion

By connecting the understanding of somatic cells and the processes of cell division, it can be concluded that Diploid somatic cells divide by Mitosis.

Key concepts

Mitosis

Mitosis is a fundamental process of cell division that occurs in somatic cells, which are the body cells excluding the reproductive cells. This is how living organisms grow and repair tissue. During mitosis, a single cell divides to form two genetically identical daughter cells. Here's how it works:

• First, the cell copies all of its chromosomes, which hold the DNA.
• Then, these chromosomes are evenly divided between the two new cells.

The key point is that mitosis maintains the same number of chromosomes in the daughter cells as in the parent cell. This is crucial for preserving the genetic information across cells. If any errors occur during mitosis, it can lead to cell malfunction or diseases.

Somatic Cells

Somatic cells are all the cells in an organism that are not involved in reproduction. These cells make up most of the body's tissues and organs, like skin, muscles, and lungs. They are diploid, meaning they contain two complete sets of chromosomes – one inherited from each parent.

Key characteristics of somatic cells include:

• Non-reproductive function, as opposed to germ cells, which are the reproductive cells.
• Division by mitosis to maintain chromosome number and ensure normal function.

This means that with each division, somatic cells pass on the same set of genetic information to their daughter cells. This stability allows organisms to maintain their structure and functionality.

Chromosomes

Chromosomes are long, thread-like structures made of DNA and proteins. They are located in the nucleus of cells and carry all the genetic information necessary for the growth, development, and functioning of an organism. In human somatic cells, there are 46 chromosomes, grouped into 23 pairs.

Here's why chromosomes are significant in cell division:

• They ensure that DNA is accurately replicated and distributed during cell division.
• They prevent genetic information from becoming scrambled between divisions.

Maintaining the correct number of chromosomes is critical for cell integrity. Mistakes in this process can lead to genetic disorders or diseases such as cancer. Chromosomes are, therefore, central to the life and function of cells.