Question

select the correct answer.
as a child, alex was short for his age. but during his teenage years, his height increased and he surpassed most of his friends. what must have occurred to create this growth spurt?
○ a. cells in alexs body underwent meiosis to create new tissue
○ b. cells in alexs body underwent mitosis to create new tissue
○ c. cells in alexs body produced haploid cells that formed new muscle
○ d. cells in alexs body produced new tissue by budding

Explanation:

• Option A: Meiosis is for gamete formation (producing haploid cells for sexual reproduction), not for tissue growth. So this option is incorrect.
• Option B: Mitosis is the process by which somatic cells divide to produce more diploid cells. This is crucial for growth (increasing the number of cells in tissues like bone, muscle etc. which leads to height increase). This option is correct.
• Option C: Haploid cells are produced by meiosis (as in gametes - sperm and egg). Muscle cells are diploid. So this option is incorrect.
• Option D: Budding is a form of asexual reproduction in some organisms (like yeast), not a process for tissue growth in humans. So this option is incorrect.

Answer:

B. Cells in Alex’s body underwent mitosis to create new tissue