Question 1

Which of the following best describes the role of the mitotic spindle during mitosis?

Accepted Answer

It separates sister chromatids and moves them to opposite poles of the cell.

Question 2

During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur, and what is the result?

Accepted Answer

S phase; each chromosome is duplicated to form two sister chromatids.

Question 3

A researcher observes a cell with condensed chromosomes aligned at the center of the cell. Which stage of mitosis is this cell in?

Accepted Answer

Metaphase

Question 4

What is the primary difference between somatic cells and gametes in terms of chromosome number?

Accepted Answer

Somatic cells have twice as many chromosomes as gametes.

Question 5

Which of the following equations correctly represents the relationship between the number of chromosomes ($n$) and the number of chromatids ($c$) in a human cell during G2 phase?

Accepted Answer

$c = 2n$

Question 6

A mutation prevents the formation of the contractile ring of microfilaments during cell division in animal cells. Which process will be directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Cytokinesis

Question 7

Which checkpoint in the cell cycle is considered the most critical for determining whether a cell will divide?

Accepted Answer

G1 checkpoint

Question 8

What is the function of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) in the cell cycle?

Accepted Answer

They phosphorylate target proteins to regulate cell cycle progression.

Question 9

A scientist adds platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to a culture of fibroblasts. What is the expected outcome?

Accepted Answer

The fibroblasts will begin to divide in response to the growth factor.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why cancer cells can form tumors while normal cells do not?

Accepted Answer

Cancer cells ignore density-dependent inhibition and continue dividing.

Question 11

If a cell fails to pass the G1 checkpoint, what is the most likely fate of the cell?

Accepted Answer

It will exit the cell cycle and enter the G0 phase.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about sister chromatids is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are identical copies of a chromosome joined at the centromere.

Question 13

A plant cell is observed forming a cell plate during cytokinesis. What is the significance of this structure?

Accepted Answer

It separates the two nuclei and develops into a new cell wall.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the relationship between chromatin and chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

Chromosomes are made of chromatin, which is DNA and protein that condenses during cell division.

Question 15

Which equation best represents the process of chromosome duplication during the S phase?

Accepted Answer

$	ext{1 chromosome} \xrightarrow{	ext{S phase}} 	ext{2 sister chromatids}$

Question 16

A cell is observed with its nuclear envelope breaking down and spindle fibers attaching to kinetochores. Which phase is this?

Accepted Answer

Prometaphase

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world example of the importance of cell division in multicellular organisms?

Accepted Answer

Healing of a skin wound

Question 18

If a mutation causes a cell to produce nonfunctional cyclin, what is the most likely result?

Accepted Answer

The cell will be unable to progress through the cell cycle.

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why DNA must be replicated before mitosis?

Accepted Answer

To ensure each daughter cell receives a complete set of genetic information.

Question 20

A cell is exposed to a drug that prevents microtubule polymerization. Which stage of mitosis will be directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Chromosome alignment during metaphase

The Cell Cycle: Structure, Function, and Regulation

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