Question

a biologist is studying two types of cells: a skin cell and a sperm cell. the skin cell divides to replace damaged tissue, while the sperm cell is involved in sexual reproduction. which process is responsible for maintaining genetic continuity in each case, and why?

a. the skin cell uses meiosis to maintain the same number of chromosomes, and the sperm cell uses mitosis to reduce the chromosome number

b. the skin cell uses mitosis to maintain the full set of chromosomes, and the sperm cell uses meiosis to produce gametes with half the chromosome number

c. both the skin cell and the sperm cell use mitosis, because all cells must maintain the same number of chromosomes

d. both the skin cell and the sperm cell use meiosis, because genetic variation is required in all cells

Explanation:

Answer:

B. The skin cell uses mitosis to maintain the full set of chromosomes, and the sperm cell uses meiosis to produce gametes with half the chromosome number