Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main difference between mitosis and meiosis in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Mitosis produces somatic cells, while meiosis produces gametes.

Question 2

During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?

Accepted Answer

S phase

Question 3

What is the primary function of cell-cycle checkpoints?

Accepted Answer

To allow the cell to decide whether to proceed with division

Question 4

Which event occurs during anaphase of mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles

Question 5

In animal cells, cytokinesis is accomplished by which of the following mechanisms?

Accepted Answer

Constriction of the actin-myosin ring forming a cleavage furrow

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why cancer can develop in multicellular organisms?

Accepted Answer

Cell-cycle checkpoints fail, allowing uncontrolled cell division

Question 7

Bacterial cell division differs from eukaryotic mitosis in that bacteria:

Accepted Answer

Use binary fission instead of mitosis

Question 8

If a mutation causes a cell to bypass the G1 checkpoint, what is the most likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

The cell may divide uncontrollably, potentially leading to tumor formation

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cancer cells?

Accepted Answer

They always remain localized and never spread

Question 10

A researcher observes a eukaryotic cell with condensed chromosomes aligned at the center of the cell. Which phase of mitosis is being observed?

Accepted Answer

Metaphase

Question 11

Which of the following equations best represents the relationship between the number of chromosomes before and after mitosis in a diploid cell?

Accepted Answer

$$2n \rightarrow 2n$$

Question 12

A plant cell is observed forming a cell plate during cytokinesis. What is the main role of the cell plate?

Accepted Answer

To divide the cytoplasm and form a new cell wall between daughter cells

Question 13

Which phase of the cell cycle is primarily responsible for cell growth and preparation for DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

G1 phase

Question 14

If a drug inhibits the formation of the mitotic spindle, which stage of mitosis would be directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Metaphase

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the role of protein filaments during bacterial cell division?

Accepted Answer

They attach to replicated chromosomes and pull them apart

Question 16

A cell is observed with two nuclei but a single cytoplasm. Which process has occurred, and which has not yet completed?

Accepted Answer

Mitosis has occurred, but cytokinesis has not yet completed

Question 17

Which of the following is a direct consequence of defective regulatory molecules at cell-cycle checkpoints?

Accepted Answer

Cells may divide uncontrollably

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why multicellular organisms need cell division?

Accepted Answer

To grow, repair tissues, and reproduce

Question 19

If a cell fails to complete the S phase, what is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

The cell will not have replicated its DNA and cannot proceed to mitosis

Question 20

Which of the following statements about the M phase is correct?

Accepted Answer

It consists of mitosis and cytokinesis

The Cell Cycle: Mechanisms and Regulation

Study Guide - Practice Questions