Imagine that a single cell below goes through four cell divisions. How many cells are produced? To find out, draw the parent cell and cells present after each division. Then write the number of cells in the space below each drawing. (Hint: the number of cells doubles with each division.)
Answer (1)
Start with a single cell.
After the first division, the number of cells doubles to 1 × 2 = 2 .
After the second division, the number of cells doubles to 2 × 2 = 4 .
After the third and fourth divisions, the number of cells doubles to 4 × 2 = 8 and 8 × 2 = 16 .
Explanation
Problem Analysis We are asked to determine the number of cells produced after a single cell divides four times, given that the number of cells doubles with each division.
First Division Initially, we start with one cell (the parent cell). After the first division, the number of cells doubles, so we have 1 × 2 = 2 cells.
Second Division After the second division, the number of cells doubles again, so we have 2 × 2 = 4 cells.
Third Division After the third division, the number of cells doubles again, so we have 4 × 2 = 8 cells.
Fourth Division After the fourth division, the number of cells doubles again, so we have 8 × 2 = 16 cells.
Final Answer Therefore, after four cell divisions, there are a total of 16 cells.
Examples
Cell division is a fundamental process in biology, essential for growth, repair, and reproduction. For example, after a skin injury, cells divide to heal the wound. If a single skin cell divides four times, it will produce 16 cells to aid in the healing process. This exponential increase from cell division ensures rapid tissue repair and restoration of skin integrity.
