Nerve cells do not have centrioles. Therefore, they are not able to __________.

• A. synthesize proteins
• B. carry out active transport
• C. undergo mitotic cell division
• D. perform cellular respiration

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of centrioles in cell division: Centrioles are organelles that play a critical role in organizing the spindle fibers during mitosis, which are necessary for the separation of chromosomes into daughter cells.
2. Recognize that nerve cells lack centrioles: Nerve cells, or neurons, are specialized cells that do not contain centrioles, which means they cannot form spindle fibers required for mitotic cell division.
3. Analyze the implications of lacking centrioles: Without centrioles, nerve cells are unable to undergo mitotic cell division, which is the process of dividing into two identical daughter cells.
4. Compare the other options provided: Synthesizing proteins, carrying out active transport, and performing cellular respiration are processes that do not directly depend on centrioles. These functions are carried out by other cellular structures like ribosomes, membrane proteins, and mitochondria, respectively.
5. Conclude that the correct answer is 'undergo mitotic cell division': This is because centrioles are specifically required for this process, and their absence in nerve cells prevents mitosis from occurring.