The process by which the cell nucleus duplicates so that the cell can divide into two new daughter cells is called what?

• A. Interphase
• B. Meiosis
• C. Mitosis
• D. Cytokinesis

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is understanding which part of cell division handles the division of the nucleus to form two nuclei. Mitosis is the stage that splits the cell’s nucleus and its genetic material so two genetically identical nuclei are produced, which is what allows the cell to become two separate daughter cells after the cytoplasm divides in cytokinesis. Interphase is the period when the cell grows and duplicates its DNA in preparation, but the actual division of the nucleus happens during mitosis. Meiosis, on the other hand, is a different process that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes and results in four non-identical cells. So, the division of the nucleus to create two new nuclei is mitosis.