MCAT Biology : Cellular Processes and Functions
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Example Question #1331 : Biology
The cell cycle is the series of events a cell undergoes during its lifetime. It involves four main phases: G1, G2, S phases, and mitosis. Each phase is characterized by a specific set of events. These events include cell growth, genetic material replication, and cell division. Several cellular machineries such as organelles and cytoskeletal elements are involved in each phase. In addition to these phases, the cell cycle has specific checkpoints to ensure that the cell is ready to proceed to the subsequent steps in the cycle. This decreases errors during replication and division. G0 phase is a special phase of the cell cycle that is characterized by a quiescent cell.
Cyclin-dependent kinases are special molecules that facilitate the progression of a cell through the cell cycle. Many molecules such as p53 and kinase inhibitors regulate the cell cycle. Unregulated cell cycle can lead to rapid growth of cells that may, eventually, lead to cancer.
Which of the following is/are true regarding the cell cycle?
More than one of these
G0 phase involves no cell growth
G1 and G2 phase both involve cell growth
G0 phase and G1 phase both involve increasing the amount of genetic material
More than one of these
There are four main phases in the cell cycle: G1 phase, S phase, G2 phase, and mitosis (M phase). G1 involves cell growth and preparation for DNA replication, S phase involves replication of the genetic material (DNA), G2 phase involves more cell growth and preparation for mitosis, and mitosis involves the division of the cell into two identical daughter cells. G0 phase is another phase that cells can undergo where they remain quiescent. This phase usually occurs after mitosis, when the cell is preparing to enter the G1 phase. Genetic material is increased in S phase only and cell growth occurs in G1 and G2 phases only, thus two of the answer choices are correct.
Example Question #11 : Cell Cycle
The cell cycle is the series of events a cell undergoes during its lifetime. It involves four main phases: G1, G2, S phases, and mitosis. Each phase is characterized by a specific set of events. These events include cell growth, genetic material replication, and cell division. Several cellular machineries such as organelles and cytoskeletal elements are involved in each phase. In addition to these phases, the cell cycle has specific checkpoints to ensure that the cell is ready to proceed to the subsequent steps in the cycle. This decreases errors during replication and division. G0 phase is a special phase of the cell cycle that is characterized by a quiescent cell.
Cyclin-dependent kinases are special molecules that facilitate the progression of a cell through the cell cycle. Many molecules such as p53 and kinase inhibitors regulate the cell cycle. Unregulated cell cycle can lead to rapid growth of cells that may, eventually, lead to cancer.
A researcher is analyzing a molecule that stops the progression of the cell cycle. What could be the identity of this molecule?
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor
Cyclin-depended kinase
DNA polymerase
p53
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor
Progression through the cell cycle involves several molecules. There are several checkpoints along the cell cycle to ensure that the cell is ready for the next phase. One of the most important molecules involved in this process are the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). These molecules phosphorylate and activate molecules that are important for the cell cycle. Inhibiting CDKs by an inhibitor will halt the activity of these molecules and, subsequently, the progression of the cell cycle.
DNA polymerase is an enzyme involved in DNA replication. It promotes DNA replication and helps the cell progress through the cell cycle. p53 is a tumor suppressor gene that is important for halting uncontrolled growth of cells. This is one of the most common mutated genes found in tumors. Lack of p53 activity leads to decreased regulation of cell growth. This means that cells can proliferate uncontrollably and can eventually become tumors.
Example Question #11 : Cellular Processes And Functions
The cell cycle is the series of events a cell undergoes during its lifetime. It involves four main phases: G1, G2, S phases, and mitosis. Each phase is characterized by a specific set of events. These events include cell growth, genetic material replication, and cell division. Several cellular machineries such as organelles and cytoskeletal elements are involved in each phase. In addition to these phases, the cell cycle has specific checkpoints to ensure that the cell is ready to proceed to the subsequent steps in the cycle. This decreases errors during replication and division. G0 phase is a special phase of the cell cycle that is characterized by a quiescent cell.
Cyclin-dependent kinases are special molecules that facilitate the progression of a cell through the cell cycle. Many molecules such as p53 and kinase inhibitors regulate the cell cycle. Unregulated cell cycle can lead to rapid growth of cells that may, eventually, lead to cancer.
Which of the following phase(s) is/are not preceded by a checkpoint?
More than one of these
G2 phase
S phase
G1 phase
More than one of these
There are three main checkpoints in the cell cycle. The first checkpoint occurs between G1 and S phase. During this checkpoint, the cell checks the stability of DNA molecules and the machinery required for DNA replication. If everything is fine, then the cell progresses into the S phase for DNA replication. The second checkpoint occurs between G2 phase and mitosis. During this checkpoint, the cell checks whether DNA replication occurred properly and whether the cell is ready for cell division. The third and final checkpoint occurs between the metaphase and anaphase of the cell. During this checkpoint, the cell checks whether the spindle apparatus is properly formed for anaphase and subsequent steps in mitosis.
Example Question #1341 : Biology
The cell cycle is the series of events a cell undergoes during its lifetime. It involves four main phases: G1, G2, S phases, and mitosis. Each phase is characterized by a specific set of events. These events include cell growth, genetic material replication, and cell division. Several cellular machineries such as organelles and cytoskeletal elements are involved in each phase. In addition to these phases, the cell cycle has specific checkpoints to ensure that the cell is ready to proceed to the subsequent steps in the cycle. This decreases errors during replication and division. G0 phase is a special phase of the cell cycle that is characterized by a quiescent cell.
Cyclin-dependent kinases are special molecules that facilitate the progression of a cell through the cell cycle. Many molecules such as p53 and kinase inhibitors regulate the cell cycle. Unregulated cell cycle can lead to rapid growth of cells that may, eventually, lead to cancer.
An organism is found to have a diploid number of 50. How many chromosomes will this organism have at the end of S phase?
DNA replication occurs during the S phase. Upon completion of DNA replication, a cell has a duplicate copy of every chromosome it possesses. Recall that humans have 2 sets of 23 chromosomes (total of 46 chromosomes). For example, there are two different copies of chromosome 1, two different copies of chromosome 2, etc. The two different copies of chromosomes are termed homologous chromosomes. Upon completion of DNA replication, each of these 46 chromosomes will have an identical duplicate copy, called the sister chromatid. The sister chromatid is attached to the original chromosome at the centromere. This entire entity, however, is still considered a single chromosome; therefore, upon completion of S phase humans will have 46 chromosomes.
The organism in the question has 50 chromosomes to begin S phase (2n = 50); therefore, it will have 50 chromosomes at the end of S phase.
Example Question #13 : Cell Cycle
The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord. In general, tracts allow for the brain to communicate up and down with the spinal cord. The commissures allow for the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate with each other. One of the most important commissures is the corpus callosum. The association fibers allow for the anterior regions of the brain to communicate with the posterior regions. One of the evolved routes from the spinal cord to the brain is via the dorsal column pathway. This route allows for fine touch, vibration, proprioception and 2 points discrimination. This pathway is much faster than the pain route. From the lower limbs, the signal ascends to the brain via a region called the gracile fasciculus. From the upper limbs, the signal ascends via the cuneate fasciculus region in the spinal cord.
One of the difficulties in treating spinal injuries is the inability to promote neural cells to regenerate. During which stage of the cell cycle are neural cells arrested in?
Neural Cells are arrested in the 
Example Question #1 : Mitosis And Meiosis
Human chromosomes are divided into two arms, a long q arm and a short p arm. A karyotype is the organization of a human cell’s total genetic complement. A typical karyotype is generated by ordering chromosome 1 to chromosome 23 in order of decreasing size.
When viewing a karyotype, it can often become apparent that changes in chromosome number, arrangement, or structure are present. Among the most common genetic changes are Robertsonian translocations, involving transposition of chromosomal material between long arms of certain chromosomes to form one derivative chromosome. Chromosomes 14 and 21, for example, often undergo a Robertsonian translocation, as below.
A karyotype of this individual for chromosomes 14 and 21 would thus appear as follows:
Though an individual with aberrations such as a Robertsonian translocation may be phenotypically normal, they can generate gametes through meiosis that have atypical organizations of chromosomes, resulting in recurrent fetal abnormalities or miscarriages.
Chromosomes are important participants in both meiosis and mitosis. Which of the following is false of meiosis?
Meiosis is limited to germ cells
Meiosis forms tetrads before its first division
It generates haploid cells, while mitosis generates diploid cells
Crossing over happens more frequently than in mitosis
It undergoes a reduction division during its second division
It undergoes a reduction division during its second division
This is a tricky question because all of the choices are correct, except for one minor part. Meiosis sees cells undergo a reduction division in the first division. That means that after the first meiotic division, the diploid germ cell has become a haploid.
Example Question #2 : Mitosis And Meiosis
Cellular division is an essential part of the cell cycle. When a cell divides it passes genetic information to daughter cells. The amount of genetic information passed on to daughter cells depends on whether the cell undergoes mitosis or meiosis. Mitosis is the most common form of cell division. All somatic cells undergo mitosis, whereas only germ cells undergo meiosis. Meiosis is very important because it produces gametes (sperm and eggs) that are required for sexual reproduction. Human germ cells have 46 chromosomes (2n = 46) and undergo meiosis to produce four haploid daughter cells (gametes).
Which of the following would occur in humans if meiosis produced diploid gametes?
The number of chromosomes in subsequent generations would increase exponentially
The number of chromosomes in subsequent generations would be 92
The number of chromosomes in subsequent generations would decrease exponentially
The number of chromosomes in subsequent generations would be 23
The number of chromosomes in subsequent generations would increase exponentially
Meiosis is the process by which haploid gametes are produced. The attachment of a haploid sperm to a haploid egg begins the process of development and fertilization. In humans a sperm containing 23 chromosomes joins with an egg containing 23 chromosomes to create an organism with 46 chromosomes.
If meiosis were to produce diploid gametes, then the diploid gametes would combine to form an organism that contains twice as many chromosomes as the parent. For example, a diploid sperm and egg (containing 46 chromosomes each) would create an organism with 92 chromosomes. This new organism would produce another organism with 184 chromosomes (double 92). The subsequent generations would have twice as many chromosomes as the previous generation, and the amount of chromosomes would increase exponentially.
Offspring 1: 92 chromosomes
Offspring 2: 184 chromosomes
Offspring 3: 368 chromosomes
The best answer is that the number of chromosomes in subsequent generations would increase exponentially.
Example Question #3 : Mitosis And Meiosis
During metaphase, the chromosomes of the cell are __________.
aligned at the midplane of the cell
duplicated
separated at each end of the poles
difficult to see
beginning to shorten and thicken
aligned at the midplane of the cell
During metaphase, chromosomes align along the metaphase plate, in preparation for anaphase. This phase of the cell cycle is highly visible as a distinct band of chromosomes lined up in the center of the cell.
Example Question #11 : Cellular Processes And Functions
Which stage of mitosis is shown in the illustration?
Cytokinesis
Prophase
Anaphase
Metaphase
Telophase
Metaphase
This cell is in metaphase. This can be determined because the chromosomes are lined up on in the middle. This is known as the metaphase plate. After alignment the microtubules attach, and the chromosomes are ready to be seperated, which is the next phase (anaphase).
Example Question #2 : Mitosis And Meiosis
The __________ is the site of attachment of spindle fibers to sister chromatids during mitosis.
kinetochore
centrosome
centriole
centromere
kinetochore
Centrosomes are portions of the cell that help nucleate microtubules and form the mitotic spindle. Centrioles are composed of tubulin and are portions of the centrosome. The centromere is the portion of the chromosome where the two sister chromatids are linked. The kinetochore is a protein structure that helps associate the mitotic spindle to the sister chromatids. The outer portion of the kinetochore interacts with the microtubules, while the inner portion associates with the centromeric DNA.
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