AP Biology : Cellular Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #83 : Cellular Division

Nuclear envelopes develop around newly formed nuclei in what stage of mitosis?

Possible Answers:

Metaphase

Prophase

Telophase

Anaphase

Correct answer:

Telophase

Explanation:

Once the soon-to-be daughter DNA has reached opposite poles of the cell, new nuclear envelopes form around them during telophase. Also, in telophase, the spindle apparatus breaks down and the DNA begins to condense. Remember that telophase is essentially the opposite of prophase.  

Example Question #44 : Understanding Mitosis

The cleavage furrow develops via __________.

Possible Answers:

telophase

anaphase

cytokinesis

prophase

Correct answer:

cytokinesis

Explanation:

The cleavage furrow is the start of physical cell splitting, occurs during telophase, and is called cytokinesis. The cleavage furrow is mediated by motor proteins such as actin and myosin. They tighten a "ring" around the cell until it pinches off into two daughter cells. Note that plant cells also exhibit cytokinesis, but they do so without the formation of a cleavage furrow. Rather, they form a cell plate, which is made of the same material as their cell wall, cellulose.

Example Question #313 : Cellular Biology

In which phase of mitosis do the sister chromatids first separate?  

Possible Answers:

Anaphase

Metaphase

Telophase

Prophase

Correct answer:

Anaphase

Explanation:

Separation of the sister chromatids by the microtubules pulling them to opposite poles occurs in anaphase. Also, during late anaphase, cytokinesis begins. This is the process of the cell dividing, since the nucleus has already divided (karyokinesis).

Example Question #45 : Understanding Mitosis

In which phase of mitosis do the chromatin fibers become tightly coiled, the nuclei disappear, and the mitotic spindle begins to form?

Possible Answers:

Anaphase

Telophase

Prophase

Metaphase

Correct answer:

Prophase

Explanation:

All these events occur in prophase, the first stage of mitosis. Metaphase involves the duplicated chromosomes being aligned along the metaphase plate, with each pair of sister chromatids attached to spindle fibers. During anaphase, the sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell. Telophase is essentially the opposite of prophase: the DNA decondenses, the nuclear envelope begins to reform, and the mitotic spindle begins to disappear.   

Example Question #46 : Understanding Mitosis

During what phase of mitosis do sister chromatids line up in the middle of the cell, equidistant from both poles of the cell?

Possible Answers:

Telophase

Metaphase

Anaphase

Prophase

Interphase

Correct answer:

Metaphase

Explanation:

At metaphase the spindle microtubules that are attached to the kinetochores of the chromosomes move them to the metaphase plate, an imaginary structure at the midway point between the two poles of the cell.

Example Question #316 : Cellular Biology

In mitosis, which is the first phase in which chromatin coils and forms chromosomes and the nuclear membrane breaks down?

Possible Answers:

Metaphase

Telophase

Prophase

Anaphase

Correct answer:

Prophase

Explanation:

Prophase is the first phase of mitosis in which chromatin coils and forms chromosomes, the spindle apparatus begins to form, and the nuclear membrane breaks down. The second, third, and fourth phases are metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, respectively.

Example Question #51 : Understanding Mitosis

In mitosis, which is the second phase in which spindle fibers move the chromosomes to the center of the cell where they are aligned?

Possible Answers:

Telophase

Prophase

Anaphase

Metaphase

Correct answer:

Metaphase

Explanation:

Metaphase is the second phase of mitosis in which spindle fibers move the chromosomes to the center of the cell where they are aligned. Prophase is the first phase of mitosis, anaphase is the third phase, and telophase is the fourth and final phase.

Example Question #51 : Understanding Mitosis

In mitosis, which is the third phase in which sister chromatids of chromosomes move toward the opposite poles of the cell?

Possible Answers:

Metaphase

Prophase

Anaphase

Telophase

Correct answer:

Anaphase

Explanation:

Anaphase is the third phase of mitosis in which each sister chromatids of each chromosome toward the opposite poles of the cell. Prophase is the first phase of mitosis, metaphase is the second phase, and telophase is the fourth and final phase.

Example Question #91 : Cellular Division

In mitosis, what is the fourth phase in which the chromatids unwind and become elongated and the nuclear membrane starts to form around the DNA?

Possible Answers:

Telophase

Anaphase

Prophase

Metaphase

Correct answer:

Telophase

Explanation:

Telophase is the fourth and final phase of mitosis in which the new chromatids unwind, the spindle apparatus breaks down, the cells becomes elongated, and a nuclear membrane starts to form around the decondensed DNA (chromatin). Prophase is the first phase of mitosis, metaphase is the second phase, and anaphase is the third phase.

Example Question #320 : Cellular Biology

What is the correct order of the stages of mitosis?

Possible Answers:

Anaphase, prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, telophase, cytokinesis.

Prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, telophase, anaphase, cytokinesis.

Prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis.

Cytokinesis, prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.

Anaphase, cytokinesis, metaphase, prophase, telophase, prometaphase.

Correct answer:

Prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis.

Explanation:

Mitosis is in the order of this anagram: PMAT.

1. Prophase (chromosomes condense, mitotic spindle begins to form)

2. Prometaphase (some classes don't classify this as a separate stage from prophase but if your class does know that the nuclear envelope disintegrates in this stage).

3. Metaphase (the mitotic spindle attaches to the chromosomes and aligns them to the middle of the cell, crossing-over occurs here as well as elongation of the cell)

4. Anaphase (the mitotic spindle pulls apart the chromosomes and an equal amount of chromosomes are at each end of the cell)

5. Telophase (two nuclear envelopes reform around the chromosomes of each side and the mitotic spindle breaks down)

6. Cytokinesis (again, many classes put this in telophase but some classify it as a separate stage. This is the moment when the cell divides is cytoplasm into two, forming two different cells. In the body it occurs within seconds which is another reason why many classes integrate it into telophase.)

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