How does the cell cycle affect the chromosomes that cells carry?

• A. The cell cycle ensures that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.
• B. The cell cycle reduces the number of chromosomes in each daughter cell by half.
• C. The cell cycle duplicates chromosomes only during the G1 phase.
• D. The cell cycle randomly distributes chromosomes to daughter cells.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the cell cycle: The cell cycle is a series of phases that a cell goes through to divide and produce new cells. It consists of interphase (G1, S, and G2 phases) and the mitotic phase (mitosis and cytokinesis).
2. Focus on chromosome duplication: During the S phase of interphase, the cell duplicates its chromosomes, ensuring that each daughter cell will have a complete set of chromosomes after cell division.
3. Consider chromosome distribution: During mitosis, the duplicated chromosomes are evenly distributed to the two daughter cells. This ensures that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.
4. Evaluate the options: The correct understanding is that the cell cycle ensures each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes, which occurs through the duplication in the S phase and equal distribution during mitosis.
5. Clarify misconceptions: The cell cycle does not reduce the number of chromosomes by half (this occurs in meiosis, not mitosis), nor does it duplicate chromosomes only during the G1 phase or randomly distribute them to daughter cells.