Question

a student observes the regeneration of a starfish after it was cut through its central disk and lost several arms. the starfish grows new arms through this process. research by the student to understand the process of regeneration would yield which discovery?
a
the new arms were generated through mitosis, which results in identical daughter cells in a process that is closest to asexual reproduction.
b
the new arms were generated from the enlargement of the remaining cells at the site of the wound, which creates larger cells, but no new cells.
c
the new arms were generated through a process called budding, which results in new cells forming that may be similar, but not identical, to the cells of the original starfish.
d
the new arms were generated after eggs and sperm from the starfish united in a process called fertilization, resulting in cells that are genetically different from the original starfish.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Starfish regeneration via mitosis (cell division producing identical daughter cells) is correct. Mitosis is key in asexual reproduction and regeneration, creating genetically identical cells, matching starfish arm regeneration.
• Option B: Regeneration doesn't involve enlarging existing cells; new cells are produced, so B is wrong.
• Option C: Budding is a different asexual process (e.g., in yeast/hydra), not starfish arm regeneration (mitosis - based), so C is wrong.
• Option D: Regeneration here is asexual (no eggs/sperm), so new arms are genetically identical, making D wrong.

Answer:

A. The new arms were generated through mitosis, which results in identical daughter cells in a process that is closest to asexual reproduction.