Question

How many times mitotic divisions will take place to produce 512 cells from a single parent cell?

• A. 9
• B. 256
• C. 158
• D. 510

Answer 1

The correct option is A 9

The question means how many times a single parent cell divides to give 512 cells.

The total number of cells formed in a mitotic division = N X 2^n (We take 2 in the formula because 1 cell divides to give 2 cells).

where N is the number of cells undergoing mitosis and n is the number of cycles in a mitotic division.

Thus N = 1 (As 1 parent cell is undergoing mitosis).

The total number of cells formed = 512.

So,

1 X 2${}^n$ = 512

2${}^n$ = 512

n = 9 cycles.

So, the correct answer is '9'