Video Transcript
Animals rarely reproduce asexually. An example of one that can is the flatworm 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎. When it is cut into two pieces, each fragment regrows into a new individual. Which type of cell division is used to do this?
This question concerns a species of animal that is able to reproduce asexually and
asks us to determine the type of cell division that is required for this
process. Remember, reproduction is the process by which an organism, or organisms, produce
offspring. Some important, distinguishing features of asexual reproduction are that it only
involves one parent and produces offspring that are genetically identical to that
parent.
Regeneration is a process that can be used to repair or regrow damaged or missing
parts and by certain animals like the flatworm 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎 for asexual
reproduction. The question presents us with the scenario of 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎 being cut into two
pieces. If the worm is cut into two fragments, the cells in each part of the split organism
will undergo many rounds of mitosis to recreate the lost portion.
Mitosis is a type of cell division where one cell divides to produce two new cells
that are genetically identical. As a result, each fragment regrows into a new individual flatworm, which is
genetically identical to the one produced from the other fragment. Regeneration can also occur in some species, such as starfish, to regrow structures
like limbs. This occurs in a similar manner to what we have just explored through many mitotic
divisions.
This means that we have found the correct answer to this question. The type of cell division used when a 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎 flatworm is cut into two
pieces so that each fragment can regrow into a new individual is mitosis.