An example of mitosis at work is a leaf turning yellow. growing. taking in carbon dioxide. hosting a caterpillar.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: Growing
Explanation (300 words):
Mitosis is the process by which a single cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the original cell. This process is essential for growth, development, and tissue repair in multicellular organisms, including plants.
The most accurate example of mitosis at work among the given options is “growing.” When a plant grows—whether it’s a seedling sprouting roots, a stem elongating, or a leaf expanding in size—new cells are needed. These new cells are produced through mitosis. For instance, in the growing tip of a plant, known as the apical meristem, cells are rapidly dividing by mitosis to add more cells to the structure. This cellular multiplication allows the plant to increase in size and complexity.
In contrast, the other choices do not directly involve mitosis:
- “A leaf turning yellow” is a sign of aging or stress (often related to a process called senescence), not cell division.
- “Taking in carbon dioxide” refers to photosynthesis, a biochemical process that occurs in chloroplasts, not one involving cell division.
- “Hosting a caterpillar” is an ecological interaction and not a biological function related to the plant’s own cell division.
Thus, “growing” directly involves mitosis because the plant must generate more cells to increase in size. Mitosis ensures that each new cell has the same genetic material, allowing the plant to function properly as it develops. It’s also crucial in healing wounds and replacing damaged cells, making it fundamental to both growth and maintenance in all multicellular organisms.