AP Biology : Cellular Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Understanding Mitosis

During which phase of the cell cycle is the nuclear envelope not intact?

Possible Answers:

Telophase

Anaphase

G1 phase

Early prophase

S phase

Correct answer:

Anaphase

Explanation:

During anaphase the sister chromatids are pulled apart by the mitotic spindle and move to opposite ends of the cell. The nuclear membrane begins to break down at the very end prophase and is completely deteriorated during metaphase, when the chromosomes align. It is still fully formed during early prophase. The membrane begins to reconstruct during telophase, but is not fully intact again until cytokinesis.

The S phase, which is when the cell duplicates its DNA, and the G1 phase, during which the cell grows, are phases of the cell cycle that are not involved in mitosis, known as interphase. The nuclear membrane is only disrupted during mitosis, and is thus intact during all stages of interphase.

Example Question #331 : Ap Biology

Chromatid separation is associated with what phase of mitosis?

Possible Answers:

Metaphase

Prophase

Telophase

Anaphase

Correct answer:

Anaphase

Explanation:

During anaphase, the chromatids aligned on the equator of the cell are separated and pulled to opposite ends of the cell.

Prophase involves the condensation of chromatin into chromosomes and the removal of the nuclear envelope. The chromosomes align at the equatorial plate during metaphase and are pulled apart by the mitotic spindle fibers during anaphase. The chromatids begin to decondense during telophase, and the nuclear envelopes begin to form again.

Example Question #7 : Understanding Mitosis

Which choice below properly matches the stage of mitosis with its description?

Possible Answers:

Anaphase: chromosomes replicate and the cell proceeds through multiple pre-mitotic checkpoints

Anaphase: chromatin condenses and a structure made up of microtubules forms

Metaphase: chromosome pairs separate and migrate to opposite ends of the cell, propelled by the shortening mitotic spindle

Prophase: pairs of chromosomes line up along the center of the cell

Telophase: two new nuclei form, each containing a group of migrated chromosomes

Correct answer:

Telophase: two new nuclei form, each containing a group of migrated chromosomes

Explanation:

The four mitotic stages included among these choices are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, which occur in that order. The initial stage, prophase, involves chromosome condensation from chromatin and the formation of the spindle apparatus from microtubules. In metaphase, chromosome pairs line up in the center of the cell at a location called the metaphase plate. Anaphase involves the shortening of the microtubular spindle fibers, which forces chromosome pairs to migrate to opposite ends of the cell. Finally, telophase involves the formation of two new nuclei. Following telophase is cytokinesis, the final separation of the cytoplasm and other organelles of the two cells, and the sealing of the plasma membrane. Some references will include interphase, a period of rest, chromosome replication, and cellular checkpoints. Though not a part of mitosis itself, interphase separates successive mitotic divisions and acts as a time of cellular rest. In any case, the only properly matched definition above was that of telophase, the final stage of mitosis.

Example Question #42 : Cellular Division

What is a centromere?

Possible Answers:

A protein that holds sister chromatids together

The site of association of sister chromatids

A protein made mostly of tubulin

An organelle that organizes microtubules

Correct answer:

The site of association of sister chromatids

Explanation:

Centromeres are the areas of chromosomes where sister chromatids are associated. They also have the important function of serving as the attachment site for microtubules of the mitotic spindle. Centromeres are not made of protein or microtubules.

Example Question #4 : Understanding Mitosis

The mature form of a newly discovered species of eukaryote contains 12 chromosomes and exists in the diploid state. In this new species, how many chromosomes are present in a mitotic cell immediately after the sister chromatids have separated?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When sister chromatids are still connected, they are only considered one chromosome. As soon as they separate, however, each sister chromatid is considered a chromosome.

Two chromatids in one chromosome: (X)

Two separated chromatids: (/\)

Because the question states immediately after the sister chromatids have separated, our yeast cells would have 24 chromosomes within the mitotic cell. Once mitosis is completed, each daughter cell would have 12 chromosomes. The question refers to a unique period during which all replicated genetic material is present within a single cell, but separated into fragments that constitute 24 total chromosomes.

Example Question #5 : Understanding Mitosis

Presence of nuclear membrane indicates that the cell is in which of the following phases?

Possible Answers:

Metaphase

Telophase

Prophase

Interphase

Correct answer:

Interphase

Explanation:

Remember that the nuclear membrane is disassembled during prophase of mitosis. It remains absent through the duration of mitosis until it begins to reassemble during telophase. The nuclear membrane is thus absent during prophase, metaphase, and telophase.

The nuclear membrane is present (and essential) during all periods of interphase. The main functions of interphase are the synthesis of cellular proteins, DNA replication, and cellular growth. These processes require proper housing of the DNA and transport of mRNA across the nuclear membrane.

Example Question #43 : Cellular Division

During which of the following mitotic phases will a cell be haploid?

Possible Answers:

Metaphase

Prophase

None of these

Anaphase

Correct answer:

None of these

Explanation:

Remember that a cell is defined as diploid if it possesses pairs of homologous chromosomes. During mitosis the cell always possesses homologous chromosomes. The segregation of chromosomes only involves the separation of sister chromatids to opposite sides of the cell, not the homologous chromosomes. The two daughter cells produced contain the same homologous pairs of chromosomes as the parent cell. A cell is therefore always diploid during mitosis and cytokinesis.

A cell will only become haploid during meiosis, when homologous chromosomes are separated during meiosis I and sister chromatids are separated during meiosis II.

Example Question #341 : Ap Biology

Human somatic cells have 46 chromosomes. How many chromosomes are present in a human cell during metaphase of mitosis? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A chromosome carries the genetic material for a certain segment of the genome. A chromosome can consist of either one or two chromatids.

During metaphase, there are 46 chromosomes composed of two sister chromatids each that align at the metaphase plate. Then, during anaphase, these chromatids are separated and pulled to opposite poles of the cell. This separation results in 92 separate chromatids in the cell, which are considered 92 chromosomes.

Only germ cells will have 23 chromosomes. These haploid cells result from meiosis, rather than mitosis.

Example Question #342 : Ap Biology

In which stage of mitosis does the nuclear envelope form?

Possible Answers:

Metaphase

Prophase

Anaphase

Telophase

Correct answer:

Telophase

Explanation:

During telophase the chromosomes have been sufficiently separated, and new nuclei can be formed. Telophase functions to prepare the cell for cytokinesis be sealing the chromosomes off from the cytoplasm in a new nuclear envelope.

The nuclear envelope first dissolves during prophase, allowing the chromosomes to migrate into the cytoplasm. They align at the center of the cell during metaphase. Sister chromatids are separated during anaphase, and the cell prepares for the final stages of division during telophase.

Example Question #343 : Ap Biology

Which of the following processes occurs during anaphase of mitosis?

Possible Answers:

The cell briefly contains 92 chromosomes

DNA is synthesized

Centrioles separate

Chromosomes decondense

Chromosomes condense

Correct answer:

The cell briefly contains 92 chromosomes

Explanation:

During metaphase, chromosomes line up along the center of the cell. At this point, each chromosome contains two sister chromatids.

During anaphase, sister chromatids are separated but remain within the same cell cytoplasm.

A chromosome can consist of either one or two chromatid. A single chromatid is considered a chromosome once it has been separated from its pair. During anaphase, each of the cell's 46 chromosomes is split into singular chromatids, and each chromatid is considered a separate chromosome structure for a total of 92 chromosomes. Once the cell completes division, these chromatids are sequestered into separate nuclei and the cell returns to its normal diploid state.

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