Question 1

Which phase of the cell cycle is characterized by DNA synthesis and chromosome replication?

Accepted Answer

S phase

Question 2

During mitosis, chromosomes align at the equatorial plane of the cell. What is this stage called?

Accepted Answer

Metaphase

Question 3

A cell fails to pass the G\_1 checkpoint. What is the most likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

The cell will not divide and may enter a resting state

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the structure of DNA?

Accepted Answer

A double helix with a sugar-phosphate backbone and complementary base pairing

Question 5

If a human cell has 46 chromosomes before mitosis, how many chromosomes will each daughter cell have after mitosis?

Accepted Answer

46

Question 6

Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing a new strand of DNA during replication?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase

Question 7

A mutation in the p53 gene can lead to which of the following outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Uncontrolled cell division and increased cancer risk

Question 8

Which process describes the separation of sister chromatids during mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Anaphase

Question 9

What is the role of cyclins in the cell cycle?

Accepted Answer

They control progression through the cell cycle by activating cyclin-dependent kinases

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why chemotherapy often causes side effects such as hair loss and nausea?

Accepted Answer

Chemotherapy drugs affect all rapidly dividing cells, including healthy ones

Question 11

During DNA replication, what does 'semiconservative' mean?

Accepted Answer

Each new DNA molecule consists of one old strand and one new strand

Question 12

Which of the following is a function of telomerase in stem cells?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining telomere length to allow continued cell division

Question 13

A researcher observes that a cell is synthesizing proteins from mRNA. Which process is occurring?

Accepted Answer

Translation

Question 14

Which of the following is TRUE about tumor suppressor genes?

Accepted Answer

They encode proteins that inhibit cell division

Question 15

A patient is diagnosed with a carcinoma. From which tissue type did the cancer most likely originate?

Accepted Answer

Epithelial tissue

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the role of the centromere during mitosis?

Accepted Answer

It holds sister chromatids together

Question 17

Which step in transcription involves RNA polymerase binding to the DNA promoter region?

Accepted Answer

Initiation

Question 18

A cell is observed to have lost its ability to divide and has entered a permanent non-dividing state. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

Senescence

Question 19

Which of the following equations correctly represents the number of chromosomes in a human somatic cell after DNA replication but before mitosis?

Accepted Answer

$$2n = 92$$

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world example of a growth inhibitory protein that can prevent cancer?

Accepted Answer

p53

Cell Cycle, DNA Structure, Replication, and Cancer: Study Notes for Anatomy & Physiology

Study Guide - Practice Questions