Question

How many generations will it take a somatic cell to grow to 128 cells?

• A. 5
• B. 6
• C. 7
• D. 8

Answer 1

The correct option is C 7

In each generation, the parent cell divides into two daughter cells via mitosis. At the end of 1st generation we have 2 daughter cells. In the 2nd generation, we will have 4 daughter cells, and so on.
Thus, in nth generation we will have $2^n$ daughter cells.
128 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = $2^7$
Therefore, it will be 7th generation from the parent cell.