Question

imagine that this process begins with a single parent cell in the first generation. if all the generations of cells undergo mitosis every 3 minutes, what is the total number of identical cells that will exist 3 minutes after the second generation is produced? the process of mitosis is illustrated below. directions: type your answer in the box. use numerals or words.

Explanation:

Step1: Identify cell - division pattern

Mitosis doubles the number of cells each time. Starting with 1 cell in the first generation.

Step2: Calculate number of cells after first mitosis

After the first mitosis, the number of cells is $2^1=2$ (since 1 cell divides into 2).

Step3: Calculate number of cells after second mitosis

After the second mitosis, each of the 2 cells divides into 2. So the number of cells is $2\times2 = 2^2=4$.

Step4: Calculate number of cells after third mitosis

After the third mitosis, each of the 4 cells divides into 2. So the number of cells is $4\times2=2^3 = 8$.

Answer:

8