Parent cell

A parent cell is a cell that can divide into 2 or more daughter cells, by either mitosis or meiosis. All somatic cells divide by mitosis, producing 2 identical daughter cells with the same ploidy as the parent cell. On the other hand, germline cells such as those found in the human testes and ovaries divide by meiosis, producing 4 non-identical, (usually) haploid daughter cells. These cells are non-identical as a result of chromosomal crossing over, a major source of genetic variation. They are also haploid because they will go on to become gametes and so at fertilisation, the maternal and paternal gametes will equally contribute half the needed number of chromosomes to make a diploid cell.