Cell division

Question 1

What is the key part of the cell cycle?

Answer 1

Cell division

The life of a cell from formation to division into two daughter cells.

Question 2

What type of daughter cells are produced by most cell divisions?

Answer 2

Genetically identical daughter cells

By passing on a complete copy of genetic material (DNA).

Question 3

What exception to genetic identity occurs during cell division?

Answer 3

Meiosis

Generates non-identical daughter cells with half the parent’s DNA.

Question 4

What is a cell’s genetic material called?

Answer 4

Genome

Question 5

How does the prokaryotic genome typically appear?

Answer 5

Single circular DNA molecule

Question 6

What does the eukaryotic genome consist of?

Answer 6

Multiple linear DNA molecules (chromosomes)

Question 7

How much DNA is contained in a human cell?

Answer 7

~2 meters

Question 8

What are chromosomes made of?

Answer 8

Chromatin (DNA + proteins)

Question 9

What do histone proteins do?

Answer 9

Help organize and regulate gene activity

Question 10

How many chromosomes do human somatic cells contain?

Answer 10

46 chromosomes (23 pairs)

Question 11

How many chromosomes do human gametes contain?

Answer 11

23 chromosomes (haploid)

Question 12

What happens to DNA before cell division?

Answer 12

DNA replicates

Question 13

What are sister chromatids?

Answer 13

Identical copies of a duplicated chromosome

Question 14

Where are sister chromatids held together?

Answer 14

Centromere

Question 15

What does mitosis produce?

Answer 15

Two identical daughter cells

Question 16

What follows mitosis in cell division?

Answer 16

Cytokinesis

Question 17

What is the purpose of meiosis?

Answer 17

Produces gametes with half the chromosome number

Question 18

What is the duration of the human cell cycle?

Answer 18

~24 hours

Question 19

How long does the M phase take?

Answer 19

<1 hour

Question 20

What occurs during the G1 phase?

Answer 20

Cell grows, synthesizes proteins and organelles

Question 21

What happens during the S phase?

Answer 21

DNA replication occurs

Question 22

What is the main function of the G2 phase?

Answer 22

Cell prepares for mitosis

Question 23

What are the five stages of mitosis?

Answer 23

Prophase, Prometaphase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase

Question 24

What happens during prophase?

Answer 24

Chromosomes condense and mitotic spindle begins to form

Question 25

What occurs during prometaphase?

Answer 25

Nuclear envelope fragments and spindle microtubules attach to kinetochores

Question 26

What is the metaphase characterized by?

Answer 26

Chromosomes align along the metaphase plate

Question 27

What occurs during anaphase?

Answer 27

Sister chromatids separate and are pulled toward opposite poles

Question 28

What happens during telophase?

Answer 28

Two daughter nuclei form and chromosomes decondense

Question 29

How do animal cells undergo cytokinesis?

Answer 29

Cleavage furrow forms and contractile ring pinches the cell

Question 30

How do plant cells undergo cytokinesis?

Answer 30

Cell plate forms from Golgi vesicles

Question 31

What is the role of the mitotic spindle?

Answer 31

Essential for chromosome movement and separation

Question 32

What are centrosomes?

Answer 32

Organize microtubules

Question 33

What are the two mechanisms of chromosome movement?

Answer 33

Pac-Man mechanism and Reeling-in mechanism

Question 34

What is the G1 checkpoint also known as?

Answer 34

Restriction Point

Question 35

What happens if a cell does not receive a go-ahead signal at the G1 checkpoint?

Answer 35

Enters the G0 phase (non-dividing state)

Question 36

What does the G2 checkpoint ensure?

Answer 36

DNA replication is complete and the cell is ready for mitosis

Question 37

What is the role of cyclins in the cell cycle?

Answer 37

Bind to Cdks to activate them

Question 38

What do cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) do?

Answer 38

Phosphorylate target proteins to regulate the cell cycle

Question 39

What is MPF?

Answer 39

Maturation-Promoting Factor

Question 40

What are growth factors?

Answer 40

Proteins that stimulate cell division

Question 41

What is density-dependent inhibition?

Answer 41

Crowded cells stop dividing

Question 42

What is anchorage dependence?

Answer 42

Cells must be attached to a surface to divide

Question 43

What characterizes cancer cells in terms of the cell cycle?

Answer 43

Escape normal regulatory signals and divide uncontrollably

Question 44

What is one example of immortalized cancer cells?

Answer 44

HeLa cells

Question 45

What do cancer cells do regarding apoptosis?

Answer 45

Evade programmed cell death

Question 46

What is the conclusion about the cell cycle control system?

Answer 46

Ensures proper division through checkpoints, Cdks, and cyclins