Haploid cells can undergo mitosis, resulting in two identical haploid cells, which is beneficial for certain plants and protists. Mitosis is faster than meiosis, allowing for the rapid production of haploid gametes, as seen in the gametophyte of bryophyte plants. During metaphase, chromosomes align at the cell center, and centromeres split, facilitating equal division during anaphase.

1. Is there any reason that mitosis could not occur in a cell whose genome is haploid? Why or why
not? Relate your answer to the way chromosomes line up for metaphase in mitosis.
Solution
Answer:
Haploid cells can undergo mitosis. It is beneficial for some plants and protists, the end result is
two identical haploid cells (nn).
Some plants use the alternation of generations reproductive cycle. A haploid gamete is
mitotically reproduced. Mitosis is much quicker than meiosis, allowing for many haploid
gametes to be produced. Example: Gametophyte of Bryophyte plants. It is produced from mitotic
cell division of spores, which are produced by meiosis in sporophytes.
During S-phase, DNA gets duplicated with each chromosome containing 4 chromatids. The
chromosomes line up at the center of the cell during metaphase. The centromeres split and divide
each chromosome into two which migrate to the opposite poles during anaphase.