NCLEX : Cell Biology
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Example Question #11 : Cell Biology
A human cell spends 90% of its lifetime in which phase of the cell cycle?
Interphase
Cytokinesis
Gap 1
Mitotic phase
Interphase
90% of the cell cycle is spent in interphase. This time is also termed the "resting phase" as it is absorbing nutrients and replicating cellular elements in preparation for cell division. This phase includes the stages Gap 1 and Gap 2. Mitosis and cytokinesis, the final stages in cell division, are both relatively short compared to interphase, accounting for approximately 10% of the cell cycle.
Example Question #12 : Cell Biology
The chemotherapeutic agent vinblastine interferes with the assembly of microtubules. This is effective in the treatment of certain cancers due to what cellular effect?
Destabilization of cellular membranes
Inhibition of mitochondrial function
Disruption of the formation of mitotic spindles
Inhibition of DNA synthesis
Disruption of the formation of mitotic spindles
Vinblastine and similar chemotherapeutic agents function by disrupting the formation and stability of microtubules in the cell. Because cell division is dependent on microtubule function, loss of microtubule integrity targets rapidly-reproducing cells such as cancer cells.
Example Question #11 : Cell Biology
A solution is said to be __________ when it contains a lower solute concentration than the cell.
Isotonic
Non-tonic
Hypotonic
Hypertonic
Hypotonic
A hypotonic solution is one that contains solutes at a lower concentration than the cell. A cell, such as a red blood cell, will swell when exposed to a hypotonic solution as water moves into the cell to balance the osmotic gradient.
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