Cells & Chemistry

Question 1

What would happen to a cell if it was placed in an isotonic vs. hypertonic vs. hypotonic solution?

Answer 1

• isotonic solution: has the same osmolarity as inside the cell, volume remains unchanged
• hypertonic solution: has higher osmolarity than inside cells so water flows out of cell, resulting in cell shrinking ( crenation )
• hypotonic solution: has lower osmolarity than inside cell, so water flows into cell, resulting in cell swelling ( lysing )

Question 2

What are the phases of mitosis?

Answer 2

• prophase: chromatin condenses to form chromosomes ( contains early & late prophase )
• metaphase: chromosomes align on the spindle equator ( middle of the cell )
• anaphase: chromosomal centromeres split and chromosomes migrate to opposite ends of the cell
• telophase: chromosomes uncoil to form chromatin and new nuclear membranes form around each chromatin mass

Question 3

Example From Test: True or False; Each daughter cell resulting from mitotic cell division has exactly the same genetic composition?

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Example From test: True or False; Dividing cells must pass through the phases of mitosis in the following order: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase?

Answer 4

True