CLEP Biology Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis Flashcards

During which phase of mitosis do chromosomes align at the cell's equatorial plate (metaphase plate)?

Answer: Metaphase

During metaphase, chromosomes are moved to the middle of the cell and align along the metaphase plate by spindle fibers attached to each kinetochore.

Which checkpoint in the cell cycle verifies that DNA replication is complete and undamaged before allowing the cell to enter mitosis?

Answer: G2 checkpoint

The G2 checkpoint ensures that DNA has been fully and accurately replicated before the cell commits to mitotic division.

Sister chromatids are held together until anaphase by proteins called cohesins at the region known as the:

Answer: Centromere

The centromere is the constricted region where cohesin proteins join sister chromatids; kinetochores assemble on centromeres to attach spindle fibers.

During which phase of mitosis does the nuclear envelope reform around each set of chromosomes?

Answer: Telophase

Telophase is characterized by the reformation of the nuclear envelope around each set of chromosomes as the cell prepares to divide.

Cytokinesis in animal cells is accomplished by the formation of a:

Answer: Cleavage furrow

Animal cells lack a cell wall, so cytokinesis occurs by a cleavage furrow—an actin-myosin contractile ring that pinches the cell in two.

Which of the following is correctly classified as part of interphase rather than mitosis?

Answer: S phase

S phase (DNA synthesis/replication) is a stage of interphase; prophase, metaphase, and telophase are all stages within mitosis itself.

A somatic cell with 46 chromosomes completes mitosis. How many chromosomes does each daughter cell contain?

Answer: 46

Mitosis is an equational division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same chromosome number (46) as the parent cell.