What is the main purpose of mitosis in cell division?

The main purpose of mitosis in cell division is to ensure that two genetically identical daughter cells are produced from a single parent cell. This process involves several phases, where duplicated chromosomes are separated and distributed equally to each daughter cell.

Mitosis maintains the diploid chromosome number, preserving the genetic information within the daughter cells. It is crucial for growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction in some organisms. Each daughter cell receives an exact copy of the parent cell's chromosomes, which is vital for maintaining the function and identity of the cells in an organism.

While chromosome replication occurs prior to mitosis during the S phase of interphase, it is mitosis that focuses on the actual separation of these chromosomes into two groups. The initiation of cytokinesis, the division of the cytoplasm, follows the completion of mitosis, making it a separate yet related process. Therefore, option B, which emphasizes the role of replicating chromosomes, is not aligned with the primary focus of mitosis itself, which is the distribution of those already replicated chromosomes into daughter cells.