Question

is this true for mitosis or meiosis or both:
mutations that occur in the cells created by this process are guaranteed to be passed to offspring
cells created by this process have 23 chromosomes

Answer 1

1) "Mutations that occur in the cells created by this process are guaranteed to be passed to offspring"
- Best answer: Meiosis (not mitosis).
- Why: Meiosis produces gametes (sperm and eggs). A mutation in a gamete can be inherited by the next generation if that gamete takes part in fertilization. Mitosis produces somatic cells, whose mutations are generally not transmitted to offspring. Note: “guaranteed” is too strong — a mutated gamete must actually be used in fertilization (and the mutation must be compatible with development) to be passed on.

2) "Cells created by this process have 23 chromosomes"
- Best answer: Meiosis (in humans).
- Why: In humans, meiosis produces haploid cells (gametes) with 23 chromosomes; mitosis produces diploid somatic cells with 46. (In other species the haploid number will differ.)