Mitosis and Cell Division

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What is mitosis?

Mitosis is a process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell.

What are the main stages of mitosis?

The main stages of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

What happens during prophase?

During prophase, chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, and the nuclear membrane begins to disintegrate.

Explain metaphase.

In metaphase, chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell, attached to the spindle fibers.

What occurs during anaphase?

During anaphase, sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles of the cell.

Describe telophase.

In telophase, the chromosomes reach the cell poles, and the nuclear membrane re-forms around each new set of chromosomes.

What is cytokinesis?

Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm, resulting in two separate daughter cells.

How does mitosis differ from meiosis?

Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, while meiosis results in four genetically diverse gametes.

What is the purpose of mitosis?

The purpose of mitosis is to enable growth, repair damaged tissues, and produce identical cells for replacement.

What is the importance of spindle fibers?

Spindle fibers are structures that help separate chromatids to opposite poles during cell division.

How does cell division contribute to tissue repair?

Cell division replaces damaged or dead cells, facilitating tissue repair and regeneration.

What would happen if mitosis did not occur correctly?

Incorrect mitosis could lead to cell death or diseases like cancer, due to improper chromosome distribution.

Why is cell cycle regulation important in mitosis?

Regulation ensures that cells only divide when necessary and under the right conditions, preventing errors.

How does apoptosis relate to mitosis?

Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death, while mitosis is cell division; both are crucial for organism health.

What role do centromeres play in mitosis?

Centromeres are regions where spindle fibers attach to separate chromatids during cell division.


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1. What is mitosis?

A form of sexual reproduction in organisms.

Mitosis is a process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell.

The fusion of gametes leading to diverse offspring.

A mechanism for ATP production in mitochondria.

2. What are the main stages of mitosis?

The main stages of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Interphase, cytokinesis, mitosis, and apoptosis.

Fertilization, zygote formation, and embryo development.

Photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration.

3. What happens during prophase?

Sister chromatids separate to opposite poles.

During prophase, chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, and the nuclear membrane begins to disintegrate.

The cell membrane divides to form a cleavage furrow.

The chromosomes align at the cell equator.

4. Explain metaphase.

Chromosomes reach opposite poles and the nuclear membrane re-forms.

In metaphase, chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell, attached to the spindle fibers.

Chromosomes condense and the nucleolus disappears.

Genetic material is replicated in preparation for cell division.

5. What occurs during anaphase?

Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes.

The nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes.

Chromosomes align at the cell's equator.

During anaphase, sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles of the cell.

6. Describe telophase.

Spindle fibers shorten and pull the chromatids apart.

In telophase, the chromosomes reach the cell poles, and the nuclear membrane re-forms around each new set of chromosomes.

The cytoplasm divides to form two daughter cells.

Apoptosis eliminates unnecessary cells.

7. What is cytokinesis?

Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm, resulting in two separate daughter cells.

The synthesis of DNA in preparation for cell division.

Fusion of gametes during sexual reproduction.

A process that produces four genetically diverse haploid cells.

8. How does mitosis differ from meiosis?

Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, while meiosis results in four genetically diverse gametes.

Mitosis produces gametes for sexual reproduction.

Both processes result in genetically identical cells.

Mitosis occurs in prokaryotic organisms only.

9. What is the purpose of mitosis?

To produce genetically diverse offspring.

To synthesize proteins for the cell.

To undergo photosynthesis and produce glucose.

The purpose of mitosis is to enable growth, repair damaged tissues, and produce identical cells for replacement.

10. What is the importance of spindle fibers?

Spindle fibers are structures that help separate chromatids to opposite poles during cell division.

Spindle fibers synthesize DNA and RNA.

They are involved in the fusion of the cell membrane.

Spindle fibers are responsible for nutrient absorption.

11. How does cell division contribute to tissue repair?

Cell division replaces damaged or dead cells, facilitating tissue repair and regeneration.

By causing cells to shrink and die.

Through the production of ATP and energy release.

By forming a protein coat around the damaged area.

12. What would happen if mitosis did not occur correctly?

Incorrect mitosis could lead to cell death or diseases like cancer, due to improper chromosome distribution.

Cells would become anaerobic and produce lactic acid.

It would result in the cell producing excess energy.

The cell would benefit from increased genetic diversity.

13. Why is cell cycle regulation important in mitosis?

Regulation ensures that cells only divide when necessary and under the right conditions, preventing errors.

It increases the rate of cell death.

To ensure cells double their size after division.

To promote genetic mutations and evolution.

14. How does apoptosis relate to mitosis?

Both processes double the DNA content of the cell.

Apoptosis initiates the cell fusion process.

Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death, while mitosis is cell division; both are crucial for organism health.

Apoptosis stimulates uncontrolled cell growth.

15. What role do centromeres play in mitosis?

Centromeres synthesize RNA during replication.

Centromeres are regions where spindle fibers attach to separate chromatids during cell division.

They are involved in nucleic acid metabolism.

Centromeres dissolve spindle fibers post-division.