Mitosis: A Comprehensive Guide to Cell Division

Question 1

Which of the following is unique to meiosis and not found in mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Homologous chromosomes pair up.

Answer

Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate.

Answer

Sister chromatids separate.

Answer

Cytokinesis occurs after telophase.

Question 2

At which stage of mitosis do sister chromatids align at the metaphase plate?

Accepted Answer

Metaphase

Answer

Prophase

Answer

Anaphase

Answer

Telophase

Question 3

Which protein complex is primarily responsible for condensing chromosomes during mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Condensin

Answer

Cohesin

Answer

Kinesin

Answer

Myosin

Question 4

Which structure in the cell serves as the attachment site for spindle fibers during mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Kinetochore

Answer

Centromere

Answer

Telomere

Answer

Centrosome

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of cytokinesis during cell division?

Accepted Answer

Dividing the cytoplasm into two distinct cells

Answer

Distributing genetic material equally

Answer

Regulating cell growth

Answer

Initiating the next cell cycle

Question 6

The structure that holds sister chromatids together at the centromere is called:

Accepted Answer

Cohesin

Answer

Kinesin

Answer

Centrosome

Answer

Microtubule

Question 7

The metaphase plate serves the following purpose in mitosis:

Accepted Answer

Ensures equal distribution of chromosomes to daughter cells

Answer

Promotes attachment of spindle fibers to chromosomes

Answer

Triggers the onset of chromosome condensation

Answer

Initiates the separation of sister chromatids

Question 8

Which cell cycle checkpoint is primarily responsible for halting the cell cycle in response to DNA damage?

Accepted Answer

G2/M checkpoint

Answer

G1 checkpoint

Answer

S phase checkpoint

Answer

M checkpoint

Question 9

The process of making chromosomes visible during mitosis is known as:

Accepted Answer

Chromosome condensation

Answer

Spindle assembly

Answer

Nuclear envelope breakdown

Answer

Cytokinesis

Question 10

Immediately following cytokinesis in animal cells, the first noticeable event is:

Accepted Answer

Formation of a new nuclear envelope around each daughter nucleus

Answer

Formation of the cleavage furrow

Answer

Disassembly of the mitotic spindle

Answer

Decondensation of chromosomes

Question 11

In which mitotic stage does the spindle apparatus assemble?

Accepted Answer

Prophase

Answer

Metaphase

Answer

Anaphase

Answer

Telophase

Question 12

Identify the primary function of the kinetochore:

Accepted Answer

Anchoring chromosomes to spindle fibers

Answer

Controlling cell cycle progression

Answer

Ensuring equitable chromosome distribution

Answer

Synthesizing DNA

Question 13

Describe the mechanism responsible for chromosome separation and movement to opposite poles during anaphase:

Accepted Answer

Polar movement of spindle fibers

Answer

Disassembly of the kinetochore

Answer

Chromosome compaction

Answer

Synthesis of new microtubules

Question 14

Explain the primary role of cytokinesis in mitosis:

Accepted Answer

Dividing the cytoplasm

Answer

Duplicating centrosomes

Answer

Compacting chromosomes

Answer

Forming the spindle apparatus

Question 15

Select the technique commonly used to study mitosis in live cells:

Accepted Answer

Fluorescence microscopy

Answer

Electron microscopy

Answer

Karyotyping

Answer

Bioinformatics

Question 16

Define a distinguishing characteristic of aneuploid cells:

Accepted Answer

Abnormal chromosome count

Answer

Typical chromosome count

Answer

Increased chromosome set

Answer

Decreased chromosome set

Question 17

Estimate the approximate duration of a typical mitotic cell cycle in human cells:

Accepted Answer

12-24 hours

Answer

1-2 hours

Answer

3-4 days

Answer

10-12 minutes

Question 18

Explain how mitosis contributes to tissue repair, providing a specific example to illustrate your response.

Accepted Answer

Mitosis enables the replacement of damaged cells with healthy ones, facilitating tissue regeneration.

Answer

Mitosis increases tissue size by generating new cells.

Answer

Mitosis enhances the strength of existing cells, making them more resistant to damage.

Question 19

During which stage of mitosis do chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope disintegrates?

Accepted Answer

Prophase

Answer

Metaphase

Answer

Anaphase

Answer

Telophase

Question 20

What is the primary function of cytokinesis?

Accepted Answer

To divide the cytoplasm and organelles into two daughter cells

Answer

To separate chromosomes into distinct sets

Answer

To condense and organize chromosomes

Answer

To initiate cell division

Question 21

Which of the following is a key regulator of mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)

Answer

Microtubules

Answer

Chromosomes

Answer

Ribosomes

Question 22

Which structure attaches to the kinetochore of each chromosome?

Accepted Answer

Spindle fiber

Answer

Kinesin

Answer

Centriole

Answer

Golgi apparatus

Question 23

What is the unique feature of cytokinesis in plant cells?

Accepted Answer

Formation of a new cell wall

Answer

Formation of a cleavage furrow

Answer

Separation of daughter chromosomes

Answer

Initiation of cell growth

Question 24

Which of the following events characterizes anaphase?

Accepted Answer

Chromosome separation

Answer

Nuclear envelope breakdown

Answer

Spindle fiber formation

Answer

Cytokinesis

Question 25

What is the main purpose of cell cycle checkpoints during mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Ensure accurate chromosome segregation

Answer

Speed up cell division

Answer

Promote cell growth

Answer

Trigger cell differentiation

Question 26

During which stage of mitosis do the chromosomes become condensed and visible under a microscope?

Accepted Answer

Prophase

Answer

Metaphase

Answer

Anaphase

Answer

Telophase

Question 27

Which checkpoint in the cell cycle ensures that all chromosomes are correctly attached to microtubules before anaphase can proceed?

Accepted Answer

Metaphase checkpoint

Answer

G1 checkpoint

Answer

G2 checkpoint

Answer

Anaphase checkpoint

Question 28

Which protein is crucial for the formation of the mitotic spindle?

Accepted Answer

Tubulin

Answer

Actin

Answer

Myosin

Answer

Kinesin

Question 29

The shortening of microtubules during anaphase is primarily driven by the action of which protein?

Accepted Answer

Dynein

Answer

Kinesin

Answer

Myosin

Answer

Motor proteins

Question 30

The primary function of centrosomes during mitosis is to:

Accepted Answer

Organize microtubules

Answer

Produce spindle fibers

Answer

Manipulate chromosomes

Answer

Control cell division

Question 31

Explain how mitosis contributes to tissue repair and regeneration, emphasizing its clinical significance.

Accepted Answer

Mitosis facilitates tissue healing by replacing damaged cells, restoring tissue function.

Answer

Mitosis is primarily involved in embryonic tissue growth and has minimal impact on tissue regeneration.

Answer

Tissue repair exclusively involves stem cells, with mitosis playing no role in the process.

Answer

Mitosis is irrelevant to tissue repair in multicellular organisms and is only applicable to unicellular organisms.

Question 32

During which phase of mitosis do chromosomes become visible and highly condensed?

Accepted Answer

Prophase

Answer

Metaphase

Answer

Anaphase

Answer

Telophase

Question 33

In animal cells, which mechanism is primarily responsible for cytokinesis?

Accepted Answer

Cleavage furrow formation

Answer

Cell plate formation

Answer

Phragmoplast formation

Answer

Cell wall synthesis

Question 34

Which mitotic stage is marked by the breakdown of the nuclear envelope and chromosome condensation?

Accepted Answer

Prometaphase

Answer

Metaphase

Answer

Anaphase

Answer

Telophase

Question 35

What is the primary function of kinetochores during cell division?

Accepted Answer

Attaching chromosomes to microtubule spindles

Answer

Promoting spindle apparatus formation

Answer

Preventing chromosome movement to the poles

Answer

Directing chromosome movement during anaphase

Question 36

Abnormal mitosis can lead to chromosomal aneuploidies or spindle defects. Explain the potential consequences of these abnormalities for cellular health and disease development.

Accepted Answer

Abnormal mitosis can result in cells with an incorrect number of chromosomes (aneuploidy) or improper segregation of chromosomes (spindle defects), which can lead to cell death or developmental abnormalities.

Answer

Abnormal mitosis has no significant impact on cellular health or disease development.

Answer

Chromosomal aneuploidies are exclusively found in cancer cells.

Answer

Spindle defects are exclusively caused by genetic mutations.

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a stage of mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Interphase

Answer

Metaphase

Answer

Anaphase

Answer

Prophase

Question 38

During which phase of mitosis do chromosomes become visible and condense?

Accepted Answer

Prophase

Answer

Telophase

Answer

Metaphase

Answer

Anaphase

Question 39

What is the function of spindle fibers during cell division?

Accepted Answer

To facilitate the separation of chromosomes

Answer

To synthesize DNA

Answer

To regulate gene expression

Answer

To condense chromosomes

Question 40

Which phase of mitosis is characterized by the alignment of chromosomes along the metaphase plate?

Accepted Answer

Metaphase

Answer

Anaphase

Answer

Telophase

Answer

Prophase

Question 41

What is the term for the physical separation of the cytoplasm during cell division?

Accepted Answer

Cytokinesis

Answer

Condensation

Answer

Replication

Answer

Karyokinesis

Question 42

Which protein family plays a critical role in controlling the initiation of mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)

Answer

Histones

Answer

DNA polymerase

Answer

Topoisomerase

Question 43

What are the essential roles of mitosis in multicellular organisms?

Accepted Answer

Growth, development, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction

Answer

DNA replication and transcription only

Answer

Meiosis only

Question 44

Which of the following substances is known to inhibit mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Colchicine

Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Caffeine

Answer

Ibuprofen

Question 45

Which technique is commonly employed to visualize and analyze chromosomes during mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Karyotyping

Answer

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Answer

Western blotting

Answer

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Question 46

What molecular event directly triggers the transition from metaphase to anaphase during mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Degradation of securin, activating separase and allowing sister chromatid separation

Answer

Breakdown of the nuclear envelope

Answer

Condensation of chromosomes

Answer

Formation of the mitotic spindle

Question 47

A cell undergoing mitosis exhibits condensed chromosomes aligned along the center of the cell. Which stage of mitosis is this cell in?

Accepted Answer

Metaphase

Answer

Telophase

Answer

Prophase

Answer

Anaphase

Question 48

What is the primary function of the kinetochore during mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Attaching chromosomes to microtubules of the mitotic spindle

Answer

Cytoplasmic division

Answer

Formation of the nuclear envelope

Answer

Chromosome condensation

Question 49

How does mitosis differ from cytokinesis?

Accepted Answer

Mitosis divides the nucleus, while cytokinesis divides the cytoplasm.

Answer

Mitosis is essential for growth, while cytokinesis is for repair.

Answer

Mitosis produces two daughter cells, while cytokinesis produces four.

Answer

Mitosis occurs in somatic cells, while cytokinesis occurs in germ cells.

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT a typical function of mitosis in multicellular organisms?

Accepted Answer

Production of gametes (sperm and egg cells)

Answer

Replacement of damaged cells

Answer

Tissue repair

Answer

Growth and development

Question 51

During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?

Accepted Answer

S phase

Answer

G2 phase

Answer

M phase

Answer

G1 phase

Question 52

What is the primary role of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) in cell cycle regulation?

Accepted Answer

They control the progression of the cell cycle through checkpoints, ensuring proper order of events.

Answer

They directly initiate DNA replication.

Answer

They break down the nuclear envelope during prophase.

Question 53

A mutation in a gene encoding a protein involved in the spindle assembly checkpoint is most likely to result in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Errors in chromosome segregation, leading to aneuploidy in daughter cells

Answer

Inability to form the mitotic spindle

Answer

Failure of DNA replication