High School Biology : Cell Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Mitosis

Mitosis and meiosis are similar and often incorrectly thought of as the same process. Which of these best explains their differences? 

Possible Answers:

Mitosis does not generate any new cell while meiosis does. 

Mitosis will generate 4 daughter cells with half the genetic material from the parent cell, while meiosis will generate two daughter cells with the same genetic material from the parent cell.

Meiosis only occurs in humans while mitosis occurs in every living organism. 

Mitosis will generate two daughter cells with the same genetic material from the parent cell, while meiosis will generate 4 daughter cells with half the genetic material from the parent cell. 

The terms mitosis and meiosis can be used interchangeably when explaining cell division. 

Correct answer:

Mitosis will generate two daughter cells with the same genetic material from the parent cell, while meiosis will generate 4 daughter cells with half the genetic material from the parent cell. 

Explanation:

There are many ways that mitosis and meiosis differ, in this question we are primed to look at the differences in the end products of each type of cell division.

Mitosis creates two new cells that are identical to the parent cell (diploid). Meiosis creates 4 new cells with half the genetic information (haploid) in each cell, and the cells are nonidentical to the parent cell and to their sister cells.

Example Question #14 : Understanding Stages Of Mitosis

Which stage of mitosis exhibits chromatids lining up on the equatorial plate?

Possible Answers:

Telophase

Prophase

Metaphase

Prometaphase

Anaphase

Correct answer:

Metaphase

Explanation:

Prophase- spindles forming, chromosomes condense, and the nuclear membrane begins to break down

Prometaphase- microtubules grow

Metaphase- chromatids are lined up in the center of the cell on the equatorial plate

Anaphase- the two chromatids of the chromosome  are pulled apart at the centromere

Telophase- new nuclear membranes form around each set of chromosomes, the spindles break down, and chromosomes decondense

Example Question #11 : Mitosis

Which stage of mitosis exhibits the two chromatids of the chromosome  are pulled apart at the centromere?

Possible Answers:

Telophase

Anaphase

Metaphase

Prometaphase

Prophase

Correct answer:

Anaphase

Explanation:

Prophase- spindles forming, chromosomes condense, and the nuclear membrane begins to break down

Prometaphase- microtubules grow

Metaphase- chromatids are lined up in the center of the cell on the equatorial plate

Anaphase- the two chromatids of the chromosome  are pulled apart at the centromere

Telophase- new nuclear membranes form around each set of chromosomes, the spindles break down, and chromosomes decondense

Example Question #16 : Understanding Stages Of Mitosis

Which stage of mitosis exhibits the spindles forming and chromosomes condensing?

Possible Answers:

Metaphase

Anaphase

Telophase

Prometaphase

Prophase

Correct answer:

Prophase

Explanation:

Prophase- spindles forming, chromosomes condense, and the nuclear membrane begins to break down

Prometaphase- microtubules grow

Metaphase- chromatids are lined up in the center of the cell on the equatorial plate

Anaphase- the two chromatids of the chromosome  are pulled apart at the centromere

Telophase- new nuclear membranes form around each set of chromosomes, the spindles break down, and chromosomes decondense

Example Question #13 : Mitosis

ProphasePremetaphaseMetaphaseAnaphaseTelophase

List the stages of Mitosis.

Possible Answers:

Premetaphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, interphase, cytokinesis, prophase

Interphase, Metaphase, premetaphase, anaphase, cytokinesis, telophase, prophase

Prophase, premetaphase, interphase, anaphase, telophase, metaphase, cytokinesis

Interphase, prophase, telophase, premetaphase, cytokinesis, metaphase, anaphase

Interphase, prophase, premetaphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis.

Correct answer:

Interphase, prophase, premetaphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis.

Explanation:

Interphase would be first as this is the part of the cycle cycle that the cell prepares to enter Mitosis. The key indicators of prophase are that the nuclear envelope is still intact and the chromosomes are beginning to pair up sister chromatids. The mitotic spindle is also beginning to form. Premetaphase, the next phase, is when the spindle has attached itself to the respective chromosomes and they begin to migrate to the center of the cell. In Metaphase the chromosomes have lined up on the mitotic plate and beginning to separate. In anaphase each sister chromatid moves to its respective side of the cell, as it is being pulled there by the mitotic spindle. The last phase of mitosis is telophase, which is indicated by the beginning of the cell splitting into two, called cytokinesis.

Example Question #14 : Mitosis

At which phase of mitosis are the chromosomes separated and move to each side of the cell?

Possible Answers:

Anaphase

Metaphase

Telophase

Prophase

Premetaphase

Correct answer:

Anaphase

Explanation:

Anaphase is where the duplicated chromosomes split, disconnected at the centromere, and each sister chromatid is moved towards opposite sides of the cells. 

Example Question #17 : Understanding Stages Of Mitosis

Telophase is the next phase in mitosis. List two things that occur during this phase. 

Possible Answers:

The spindles begin to develop and pull each set of chromosomes to opposite sides of the cell.

Chromosomes are lined up in the center of the cell and the mitotic spindle begins to pulls them towards either side of the cell.

Chromosome sets are assembled at opposite ends of the cell and a nuclear envelope forms around the chromosomes. 

The nuclear envelope begins to breakdown and the chromosomes begin to move to opposite sides of the cell.

Chromosomes are lined up in the middle of the cell and the nuclear envelope begins to form.

Correct answer:

Chromosome sets are assembled at opposite ends of the cell and a nuclear envelope forms around the chromosomes. 

Explanation:

Important indications that the cell is in telophase are that the chromosomes have been moved towards the opposite sides of the cell. The nuclear envelope does begin to form around the new respective nucleus of each daughter cell and the cell itself begins the stages of cytokinesis, or this splitting of the cell into two daughter cells.

Example Question #21 : Cell Division

What term refers to the cell splitting into two daughter cells?

Possible Answers:

Cytokinesis

Fission

Telophase

Interphase

Anaphase

Correct answer:

Cytokinesis

Explanation:

Cytokinesis is the division of the cell into two respective daughter cells. Cytokinesis can start as early as anaphase and moves through with telophase. The most important thing in this part of the process is to make sure that there is one nucleus in each new cell being formed. A protein filament ring, called the contractile ring, causes the middle of the cell to shrink and pinch off to form the two separate daughter cells.

Example Question #21 : Cell Division

What are two major events that occur in prometaphase? 

Possible Answers:

Chromosomes become condensed and the nuclear envelope breaks down.

The spindle is only beginning to form and the chromosomes are lined up on the metaphase plate.

The nuclear envelope breaks apart, the mitotic spindle reaches the chromosomes.

The nuclear envelope is still intact and the chromosomes become condensed.

Correct answer:

The nuclear envelope breaks apart, the mitotic spindle reaches the chromosomes.

Explanation:

During premetaphase the nuclear envelop has broken down and this allows the spindle, or the microtubules, begin to attach to the chromosomes at the kinetochore. The microtubules begin to put force on the chromosomes to begin moving them to the middle of the cell.

Example Question #22 : Cell Division

What is interphase?

Possible Answers:

The phase when the cell begins preparations for mitosis.

The cell arrest phase.

The phase when the actual cell division occurs. 

None of these.

It is the first phase of mitosis.

Correct answer:

The phase when the cell begins preparations for mitosis.

Explanation:

It is important to remember that interphase is not actually a part of mitosis, but rather is the preparation phase, setting the stage for mitosis to occur. Cells spend most of their time in this phase. During interphase the cells make copies of its structures and duplicates its chromosomes during DNA synthesis. The G1, S phase, and G2 phase all make up interphase, (if you remember from the previous question). 

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