Question

reynolds - cell division misconceptions - 13283218
iew insert format tools extensions help

#	petri’s answer	correct explanation
2	our bodies get bigger because our cells grow in size.
3	the \cell cycle\ and \mitosis\ are the same thing.
4	at the end of mitosis, you have 2 new cells.
5	the different cell types found in someone’s body contain different dna.
6	the cells found in different parts of a plant contain different dna.
7	each cell contains only specific genetic information (dna) that it needs to function.

Explanation:

1. Cells specialize for different functions, so they vary in shape and size (e.g., nerve cells are long, red blood cells are disc-shaped).
2. Body growth happens mainly through cell division (increasing cell number), not just cell enlargement; cells have a maximum size limit due to surface area to volume ratio.
3. The cell cycle includes all stages of a cell's life: interphase (growth, DNA replication) and mitosis (nuclear division) plus cytokinesis (cell splitting). Mitosis is only one part of the full cell cycle.
4. Mitosis produces 2 genetically identical daughter cells, but these are not "new" in the sense of being unique; they are clones of the parent cell, and the process includes cytokinesis to split the cytoplasm after nuclear division.
5. Almost all somatic (body) cells in a person have identical DNA; cell differences come from gene expression (which genes are turned on/off), not different DNA sequences.
6. All cells in a single plant have the same DNA (except for mutations); cell specialization (e.g., leaf vs. root cells) is due to differential gene expression, not distinct DNA.
7. Every cell in an organism contains the full set of the organism's genetic information; only specific genes are activated to allow the cell to perform its specialized function, not that the cell lacks unused DNA.

Answer:

1. Correct Explanation: Cells vary in shape/size by function.
2. Correct Explanation: Growth relies on cell division, not just size increase.
3. Correct Explanation: Mitosis is one phase of the cell cycle.
4. Correct Explanation: Mitosis makes 2 identical daughter cells (not "new" unique cells; cytokinesis completes cell splitting).
5. Correct Explanation: Body cells share identical DNA; differences come from gene expression.
6. Correct Explanation: Plant cells have identical DNA; specialization uses gene expression.
7. Correct Explanation: All cells have full organismal DNA; only genes needed are active.