What is the primary outcome of mitosis?

The primary outcome of mitosis is the generation of two identical daughter cells that share the same chromosome number as the original parent cell. This process is fundamental for growth, development, and tissue repair in multicellular organisms. Mitosis ensures that when a cell divides, each daughter cell receives an exact copy of the parent cell's DNA, thereby maintaining genetic consistency across cell generations.

During mitosis, several stages such as prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase work together to ensure proper chromosome alignment, separation, and distribution to the new cells. The result is that each daughter cell has the same diploid chromosome number, effectively preserving the genetic information required for the organism’s functions. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the organism's genome.

In contrast, the other options suggest outcomes that do not align with the established purpose of mitosis, such as producing genetically diverse cells or varying chromosome numbers, which are characteristic of meiosis rather than mitosis.