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daughter cell

daughter cell

1 4.9
A cell formed when one cell divides, usually like the parent cell
  • noun
  • /ˈdɔːtər sɛl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : célula hija
  • After mitosis is complete, the result is two new daughter cells that carry the same genetic information.
  • separate into daughter cells

Examples

  • As cells divide, the chromosomal DNA replicates by having each DNA strand make a complementary copy, resulting in identical new DNA for the daughter cells.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Whereas the other cell, the other daughter cell, started to form blood.

  • And again, the daughter cells are both diploid, OK?

  • When the cells divide, the DNA replicates and each daughter cell gets a complete copy.

  • Completion of mitosis via cytokinesis results in two daughter cells.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Cell divisions result in cells that are identical to those from which they arose (i.e., daughter cells).

    Academic text (2003)
  • When a cell divides, it produces two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the original.

  • During cell division, each daughter cell receives a full set of chromosomes to ensure proper function.

Surface Forms

daughter cell singular

Morphology

daughter + cell

The meaning is directly derivable from 'daughter' (offspring/descendant) + 'cell' (biological unit): it denotes a cell produced from a parent cell, following a common parent–offspring metaphor. This transparent noun–noun composition is cross-linguistically regular and used in basic biology, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Daughter cell comes from the simple image of a parent cell making children. When a cell splits, the new daughter cells are like the parent's 'daughters', so the phrase means 'a cell produced when another cell divides'.