Which process produces two genetically identical daughter cells?

• A. Meiosis
• B. Mitosis
• C. Budding
• D. Binary fission

Answer: (B)

Mitosis produces two genetically identical daughter cells. In this process the cell duplicates its chromosomes and divides the nucleus so that each new cell receives an exact copy of the original DNA. After the nuclear division, cytokinesis splits the cytoplasm, resulting in two genetically identical diploid daughter cells for most somatic cell divisions. Meiosis, by contrast, creates four non-identical haploid cells, introducing genetic variation. Budding involves outgrowths that may become separate organisms, not a single division yielding two identical daughter cells. Binary fission, common in bacteria, also yields two identical cells but occurs through a different mechanism typical of prokaryotes.