Which of the following is not a function of mitosis

General
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which of the following is not a function of mitosis

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Which of the following is not a function of mitosis?

Answer:
Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two daughter cells, each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth. It is essential for growth, cellular repair, and asexual reproduction in certain organisms.

To answer the question “Which of the following is not a function of mitosis?” let’s first outline the key functions of mitosis:

  1. Growth: Mitosis allows organisms to grow by increasing the number of cells in the body.
  2. Repair and Maintenance: Mitosis replaces damaged or old cells, ensuring tissue maintenance and repair.
  3. Asexual Reproduction: In some unicellular organisms and certain plant and animal tissues, mitosis is a means of asexual reproduction, producing genetically identical offspring.

Not a Function of Mitosis:
4. Genetic Diversity: While mitosis ensures that daughter cells are genetically identical to their parent cell, the creation of genetic diversity is not a function of mitosis. Instead, genetic variation is primarily brought about by the process of meiosis, which includes the exchange of genetic material during recombination and segregation of chromosomes.

Why Genetic Diversity is Not a Function of Mitosis

  • Meiosis: Unlike mitosis, meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing four non-identical daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell. This process is essential for sexual reproduction and contributes to genetic diversity through independent assortment and crossing over.

    \text{Meiosis} \rightarrow \text{Gametes with half the chromosome number} \rightarrow \text{Fertilization} \rightarrow \text{Genetic Diversity}

Summary

Given the functions of mitosis—growth, repair, and asexual reproduction—the statement “Genetic Diversity” is not a function of mitosis. If you’re presented with a list of options, select the option related to genetic diversity or any process exclusive to meiosis as the correct choice for functions that are not part of mitosis.