Question

What will be the total number of mitotic divisions in the formation of 64 daughter cells?

• A. 6
• B. 32
• C. 63
• D. 16

Answer 1

The correct option is A:

Explanation of the correct option:

1. The number of mitotic divisions required to achieve a specific number of daughter cells is ​calculated using the value of 2n
2. Here 'n' is the number of mitotic divisions required to achieve a particular number of daughter cells.
   
3. In the given condition, we can get 2n=64.
   
4. Therefore, the possible value of 'n' can be calculated as 2n=26.
   
5. Therefore, the value of 'n' here can be 6 which means 6 mitotic divisions are occurring.
   
6. It can also be described as follows:
7. 1⟶2⟶4⟶8⟶16⟶32⟶64.
8. It means after every mitotic division cycle in all cells of one generation double the number of daughter cells is produced.
9. Hence, after the mitotic division of 6 generations of cells 64 daughter cells are produced.
10. Note that in each cycle of the mitotic division, all the cells of the particular generation undergo division almost simultaneously.

Explanation of the incorrect answers:

Option B:

1. ​32 mitotic divisions will result in 4294967296 daughter cells.
2. As, 232=4294967296.

Option C:

1. ​63 mitotic divisions will result in approximately 9×1018 cells.

Option D:

1. 16 mitotic divisions will result in 65536 daughter cells.
   
2. As, 216=65536.

Final Answer:

The total number of mitotic divisions in the formation of 64 daughter cells is

6

.