A model of onion root meristem cells during cell division is shown here. Which explanation is true about the cell labeled with the letter A? Select all that apply. Responses A The chromosomes are independently assorting to ensure that the haploid daughter cells are genetically diverse.The chromosomes are independently assorting to ensure that the haploid daughter cells are genetically diverse. B The chromosomes are migrating to the center of the cell to cause a fertilization event resulting in a diploid cell.The chromosomes are migrating to the center of the cell to cause a fertilization event resulting in a diploid cell. C The chromosomes are undergoing crossing over to ensure that the daughter cells are genetically diverse from the parent cell.The chromosomes are undergoing crossing over to ensure that the daughter cells are genetically diverse from the parent cell. D The chromosomes were duplicated prior to mitosis to ensure that a full complement of genetic material is passed to the daughter cells.The chromosomes were duplicated prior to mitosis to ensure that a full complement of genetic material is passed to the daughter cells. E The chromosomes are being pulled to opposite sides of the dividing cell to ensure a full complement of genetic material is passed to the daughter cells.

Answer 1

To accurately determine which explanations apply to the cell labeled with the letter A in your model during cell division (specifically mitosis in onion root meristem cells), let’s analyze each option:

A. The chromosomes are independently assorting to ensure that the haploid daughter cells are genetically diverse.

• This statement is false for mitosis. Independent assortment is a feature of meiosis, which leads to haploid daughter cells. Mitosis results in diploid daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.

B. The chromosomes are migrating to the center of the cell to cause a fertilization event resulting in a diploid cell.

• This statement is false. While chromosomes do align at the center of the cell during mitosis, fertilization is not part of the mitotic process; fertilization only occurs in the context of sexual reproduction (meiosis).

C. The chromosomes are undergoing crossing over to ensure that the daughter cells are genetically diverse from the parent cell.

• This statement is false. Crossing over occurs during meiosis, not during mitosis. In mitosis, the daughter cells are clones of the parent cell and do not undergo genetic recombination.

D. The chromosomes were duplicated prior to mitosis to ensure that a full complement of genetic material is passed to the daughter cells.

• This statement is true. Prior to mitosis, DNA is replicated (during interphase), resulting in two sister chromatids for each chromosome, which ensures that each daughter cell receives a complete set of genetic material.

E. The chromosomes are being pulled to opposite sides of the dividing cell to ensure a full complement of genetic material is passed to the daughter cells.

• This statement is true. During the later stages of mitosis (anaphase), the sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite sides of the cell, ensuring that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.

In summary, the true statements regarding the cell labeled with the letter A are:

• D: The chromosomes were duplicated prior to mitosis to ensure that a full complement of genetic material is passed to the daughter cells.
• E: The chromosomes are being pulled to opposite sides of the dividing cell to ensure a full complement of genetic material is passed to the daughter cells.