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Quiz about The Principles and Mechanics of Cellular Division
Quiz about The Principles and Mechanics of Cellular Division

The Principles and Mechanics of Cellular Division Quiz


This quiz takes an ordered and in-depth look at the different stages of the mitotic cell cycle in eukaryotes.

A multiple-choice quiz by doublemm. Estimated time: 7 mins.
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Author
doublemm
Time
7 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
339,455
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
15
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
8 / 15
Plays
720
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 15
1. The eukaryotic cell cycle consists of G1, S, G2 and M phases. What vital stage characterises the S phase? Hint


Question 2 of 15
2. G1 and 2 phases are often absent in the first divisions of a fertilised egg cell, but are essential in later cell divisions. What does G stand for in this instance? Hint


Question 3 of 15
3. Once G1, S and G2 phases have taken place, M phase occurs. Mitosis (M phase) is a very busy stage of the cell cycle, and it begins with prophase, which sees the chromosomes condense due to condensin, making them visible under the microscope. What type of molecule is condensin? Hint


Question 4 of 15
4. Bridging the gap between prophase and metaphase is pro-metaphase, during which the nuclear envelope (which holds the chromosomes) breaks down. This is done by adding specific groups to the tyrosine, threonine and serine residues of the envelope's proteins. What is this process called? Hint


Question 5 of 15
5. In pro-metaphase, as well as the breakdown of the nuclear envelope, endocytosis must stop. Which organelle, made up of compartments called cisternae, plays a central role in endocytosis and fragments in this stage of the cell cycle? Hint


Question 6 of 15
6. Another structure which plays a vital role in mitosis begins by being duplicated in the S phase. These duplicated structures then move apart from one another and nucleate the microtubules which form the spindle. What is the name of these structures? Hint


Question 7 of 15
7. Microtubules are the structures which form the spindle apparatus. The spindle attaches to chromosomes and aids the separation of the sister chromatids during anaphase. Which of the following is not one of the three types of microtubule which form the spindle? Hint


Question 8 of 15
8. Before sister chromatids can be separated, spindle fibres must attach to a special structure on the centromere (the structure which holds the chromatids together). What name is given to this special structure, which assembles on the centromere in late prophase? Hint


Question 9 of 15
9. Once both sister chromatids have established connections with microtubules, they experience tension and line up along the middle of the cell. This stage is known as metaphase. Which of the following is a term used to describe the mid-line of the cell? Hint


Question 10 of 15
10. Eg5 is a protein essential for establishing microtubule stability and moving the chromatids apart in anaphase. Knowing that it moves cargo towards the + end of the microtubules, what type of protein can Eg5 be described as being? Hint


Question 11 of 15
11. Proteins known as cohesins hold sister chromatids together prior to anaphase, where they are broken down by enzymes, allowing each sister to move to opposite poles to the cell. What is the rather unimaginative name of the enzyme which cleaves cohesin? Hint


Question 12 of 15
12. In order for the microtubules to pull sister chromatids to opposites poles of the cell, they must be destabilised. What term is given to the constant polymerisation and depolymerisation of microtubules during mitosis? Hint


Question 13 of 15
13. Once the sister chromatids have been moved apart in anaphase, the nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes (this stage is known as telophase). What type of structures are lamins, a major constituent of the nuclear envelope? Hint


Question 14 of 15
14. Once telophase has taken place, cytokinesis (cell splitting) must occur. This is aided by a contractile ring which forms in the middle of the cell. Which protein, more usually associated with muscles, plays a key role in cytokinesis? Hint


Question 15 of 15
15. The typical image of a cell is one which is round. However, most cells are only round during cell division, as their connections to surrounding matrices are phosphorylated (and broken). Which protein, which connects cells to surrounding collagen fibres, is phosphorylated during cell division, making cells appear round? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The eukaryotic cell cycle consists of G1, S, G2 and M phases. What vital stage characterises the S phase?

Answer: DNA replication

DNA is replicated from a point of origin (known as an OriC). In small plasmid DNA (as found in bacteria), one OriC allows for quick DNA replication, but in human chromosomes, there is too much genetic information for just one OriC, and so there are several origins of replication.
2. G1 and 2 phases are often absent in the first divisions of a fertilised egg cell, but are essential in later cell divisions. What does G stand for in this instance?

Answer: Growth

Egg cells usually contain large amounts of cytoplasm, with stockpiled organelles and mRNA. There is also a supply of nutrients to sustain the egg after fertilisation. The size of the egg varies - goldfish eggs, for example, are several times larger than human eggs, as the egg of a goldfish must survive for longer as an isolated entity. Absent G1 and 2 phases during cell division will therefore duplicate DNA, but cause the cells to become gradually smaller as no growth occurs.
3. Once G1, S and G2 phases have taken place, M phase occurs. Mitosis (M phase) is a very busy stage of the cell cycle, and it begins with prophase, which sees the chromosomes condense due to condensin, making them visible under the microscope. What type of molecule is condensin?

Answer: A protein

As mentioned, chromosomes are only clearly visible under a microscope when in their condensed forms. As a result, it is in this form (the mitotic chromosomal form) that most would recognise a chromosome (an X-shaped body). Even in the less tightly packed form (known as an interphase chromosome), the DNA is condensed by proteins known as histones.
4. Bridging the gap between prophase and metaphase is pro-metaphase, during which the nuclear envelope (which holds the chromosomes) breaks down. This is done by adding specific groups to the tyrosine, threonine and serine residues of the envelope's proteins. What is this process called?

Answer: Phosphorylation

Phosphorylation is ubiquitous in the human body, controlling numerous processes, from smooth muscle contraction to cell signalling to cell division.

Tyrosine, threonine and serine are the three non-essential alcohol amino acids, and therefore contain an -OH group on their R chain. It is to the R chain's -OH group that phosphate groups attach in phosphorylation, bringing about a conformational (and therefore functional) change within a protein.
5. In pro-metaphase, as well as the breakdown of the nuclear envelope, endocytosis must stop. Which organelle, made up of compartments called cisternae, plays a central role in endocytosis and fragments in this stage of the cell cycle?

Answer: The Golgi body

The Golgi body/apparatus (named for Camillo Golgi) is often referred to as the post office of the cell. It receives vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum and, based on the vesicle's contents, adds or alters a tag on the vesicle which will target it either to a specific organelle or to the extracellular space.
6. Another structure which plays a vital role in mitosis begins by being duplicated in the S phase. These duplicated structures then move apart from one another and nucleate the microtubules which form the spindle. What is the name of these structures?

Answer: Centrosomes

Centrosomes establish the poles of the cell in prophase and nucleate the microtubules which form the spindle. It is often necessary to nucleate microtubules, as high concentrations of tubulin (its monomer) are required for its synthesis.
Like centrosomes in the cell cycle, basal bodies nucleate microtubules which grow to form cilia and flagella.
7. Microtubules are the structures which form the spindle apparatus. The spindle attaches to chromosomes and aids the separation of the sister chromatids during anaphase. Which of the following is not one of the three types of microtubule which form the spindle?

Answer: Cortex microtubules

Microtubules are one group of structures which form the cytoskeleton of a cell. As well as performing a structural role, microtubules are vital for the transport of vesicles throughout the cell. They are synthesised by many tubulin dimers adding together to form protofilaments, and these protofilaments join to form tubular structures (the microtubules).
8. Before sister chromatids can be separated, spindle fibres must attach to a special structure on the centromere (the structure which holds the chromatids together). What name is given to this special structure, which assembles on the centromere in late prophase?

Answer: Kinetochore

In mitosis, a centromere will possess two kinetichores (one for each sister chromatid). Due to a cell's strict control over the progression of the cell cycle, anaphase can only occur once each kinetichore has attached to a kinetichore microtubule (note: one kinetichore on the centromere will attach to a kinetichore microtubule from one pole and the second kinetichore will attach to a kinetichore microtubule from the other pole).
9. Once both sister chromatids have established connections with microtubules, they experience tension and line up along the middle of the cell. This stage is known as metaphase. Which of the following is a term used to describe the mid-line of the cell?

Answer: The metaphase plate

Once both kinetichores of a centromere have established a connection to the spindle fibres (the microtubules) the chromosome experiences tension. Each chromosome is being pulled equally to opposite poles of the cell, which were established by the centrosomes in late prophase.

As a result, the chromosomes line up along the mid-line of the cell, also called the metaphase plate, or cell equator.
10. Eg5 is a protein essential for establishing microtubule stability and moving the chromatids apart in anaphase. Knowing that it moves cargo towards the + end of the microtubules, what type of protein can Eg5 be described as being?

Answer: A kinesin

Both kinesins and dyneins act on microtubules. Microtubules are polarized structures, with the + end at the periphery and the - end at the root (centrosome or basal body). Kinesins "walk" along the microtubules, carrying cargo (usually vesicles) to the + end. Dyneins funtion in a similar way, but carry cargo to the - end.
11. Proteins known as cohesins hold sister chromatids together prior to anaphase, where they are broken down by enzymes, allowing each sister to move to opposite poles to the cell. What is the rather unimaginative name of the enzyme which cleaves cohesin?

Answer: Separase

In mitosis, cohesin is cleaved in metaphase, which triggers anaphase. In meiosis, however, the cohesin is cleaved earlier in the cell cycle, leaving only the centromere to hold the chromosomes together. This is important as, in meiosis, the chromosome arms must be free from their sister chromatids to allow crossing over (swapping of genetic information), ensuring genetic variation amongst offspring.
12. In order for the microtubules to pull sister chromatids to opposites poles of the cell, they must be destabilised. What term is given to the constant polymerisation and depolymerisation of microtubules during mitosis?

Answer: Catastrophe

M-Cdks, which help regulate the cell cycle, become active at the end of G2 phase, triggering mitosis (M phase). M-Cdk inactivates MAPs (microtubule associated proteins) which otherwise stabilise the microtubules, and activate catastrophin, which increases microtubule catastrophe.
13. Once the sister chromatids have been moved apart in anaphase, the nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes (this stage is known as telophase). What type of structures are lamins, a major constituent of the nuclear envelope?

Answer: Intermediate filaments

Intermediate filaments make up the third group of structures which form the cytoskeleton (along with microtubules and microfilaments). Unlike microfilaments (actin) and microtubules, intermediate filaments are fairly stable - most don't polymerise and depolymerise constantly.

Intermediate filaments therefore often perform structural roles in the cell, such as keratin in epithelial cells.
14. Once telophase has taken place, cytokinesis (cell splitting) must occur. This is aided by a contractile ring which forms in the middle of the cell. Which protein, more usually associated with muscles, plays a key role in cytokinesis?

Answer: Myosin

Actin is an example of a microfilament and myosin is a motor protein which act on actin. Myosin II is known as muscle myosin, though it is found in a range of cells. As well as causing muscle contraction, myosin II functions in the contractile ring in the cleavage furrow, causing cytokinesis.
15. The typical image of a cell is one which is round. However, most cells are only round during cell division, as their connections to surrounding matrices are phosphorylated (and broken). Which protein, which connects cells to surrounding collagen fibres, is phosphorylated during cell division, making cells appear round?

Answer: Integrins

Integrins are proteins found in the cell membrane of many cells. They connect actin within the cell to collagen fibres in the extracellular matrix (via fibronectin, a linker protein).
Source: Author doublemm

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