Question

to ensure that each daughter cell receives a complete and identical set of genetics

1. challenge: human cells have 46 chromosomes. each chromosome consists of a pair of identical chromatids attached together by a structure called a centromere. once the chromosome has split, each chromatid is called a daughter chromosome. at the end of cytokinesis, how many daughter chromosomes will be found in each cell? explain.

Explanation:

Step1: Understand cell division basics

In mitosis, the goal is to produce daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Step2: Analyze chromosome behavior

Each chromosome splits into daughter chromosomes. But the total number of chromosomes (now called daughter chromosomes after splitting) per cell remains the same as the original number of chromosomes in the parent cell.

Answer:

1. Because in mitosis (where cytokinesis occurs), the parent cell (with 46 chromosomes) divides to produce daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. The splitting of chromatids (forming daughter chromosomes) just changes the form of the genetic material packaging, not the quantity. So each daughter cell will have 46 daughter chromosomes.