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AAT Bioquest

Is the chromosome number the same in the daughter cells as it was in the parent cell?

Posted September 16, 2022


Answer

When the parent cell divides by the process of mitosis, it results in two identical daughter cells. Each of the daughter cells has the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. This typically occurs in somatic or non-reproductive cells such as hair, skin, lung, and muscle cells. 

When the parent cell divides by the process of meiosis, it results in four unique daughter cells. Each of these four daughter cells has half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. The composition of each chromosome is different from that of the parent cells as well as from each other. This typically occurs in reproductive cells.

Additional resources

Chromosome copy number variation and control in the ciliate Chilodonella uncinata

Cell Cycle Assays

Cell Navigator® CDy6 Mitosis Imaging Kit

Cell Meter™ Fluorimetric Live Cell Cycle Assay Kit *Optimized for 405 nm Violet Laser Excitation*