Humber Admissions Practice Test

Which process is responsible for dividing a cell into two new daughter cells?

1. Meiosis

2. Cellular respiration

3. Cell division

4. Photosynthesis

The correct answer is: Cell division

Cell division is the essential process responsible for dividing a single parent cell into two new daughter cells. This process is crucial for growth, development, and tissue repair in living organisms. It encompasses different phases, including mitosis, where the cell’s nucleus and its contents are evenly distributed, followed by cytokinesis, which divides the cytoplasm and cellular components. Meiosis, while also a type of cell division, specifically occurs in the formation of gametes and results in daughter cells with half the original cell's chromosome number. This makes it important for sexual reproduction but not for general cell division needed for growth and repair. Cellular respiration is a metabolic process where cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. It does not involve the division of cells, but rather the production of energy required for cellular functions. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. This process is vital for energy production in plants but is unrelated to the division of cells. Thus, the process of cell division is specifically designed to ensure that cells replicate properly, maintaining genetic continuity and enabling organismal growth and maintenance.