What does the fertilized egg develop into after undergoing mitosis?

• A. Embryo with traits from one parent
• B. Offspring with traits from both parents
• C. Zygote with traits from only sperm
• D. Clonal offspring

Answer: (B)

The correct answer highlights that after fertilization, the fertilized egg, known as a zygote, undergoes mitotic divisions as it develops into an embryo. This process involves the zygote repeatedly dividing to form a multicellular structure. Importantly, this new organism contains genetic information from both parents, as it is derived from the union of the sperm and egg. Each parent contributes half of the genetic material, which is combined in the zygote, and as it divides through mitosis, the resulting embryo maintains a mix of traits inherited from both the mother and the father.

This genetic mixing is fundamental to sexual reproduction, as it contributes to genetic diversity in the resulting offspring. Understanding this process is crucial in genetics, as it highlights the role of parental contributions in the formation of a new organism. The other answer choices either suggest that the offspring arises solely from one parent or is genetically identical to the parent, which does not accurately describe the outcome of fertilization and subsequent cell division in sexual reproduction.