Stages of Meiosis and Mitosis Trivia Quiz

Answer: Interphase

Interphase is a stage in the cell cycle, in which a cell spends most of its life. It is split into 3 stages: G1 (Gap 1), S (Synthesis), and G2 (Gap 2). It is during the S phase that DNA is replicated.

The other three answers, anaphase, metaphase, and telophase, make up the stages of cell division, along with prophase, in both meiosis and mitosis.

Answer: Anaphase 1 (Meiosis)

Anaphase 1 occurs during the first meiotic division. In this stage, homologues (pairs of chromosomes with the same genes but possibly different alleles, dependent on the genotype) segregate from each other, achieving chromosome reduction, i.e. a change in ploidy from diploid to haploid.

Telophase 2 does not actually exist during mitosis, as there is only one division in this process. It does, however, exist in meiosis.

Answer: Prophase 1 (meiosis)

Prophase 1 is the stage where homologues pair (synapse). It is during this pairing that crossing over can occur. During this process, parts of single chromatids (one of two identical copies of a chromosome) break off and rejoin to the neighboring homologue. Crossover points are called chiasmata (singular: chiasma).

It is this process which produces recombinant gametes: that is, gametes with a genotype which differs from the parent.

Answer: Nuclear membrane reforms around nuclei.

During telophase, while the nuclear membrane is reforming, cytokinesis (the splitting of the two daughter cells) also occurs. In animal cells, a cleavage furrow forms, which eventually pinches off, resulting in two new cells. In plant cells, vesicles from the Golgi apparatus take cell wall material to the site of cytokinesis, where a cell plate is formed, and from this, a new cell wall, which separates the two daughter nuclei.

Answer: 4

For each homologous pair of chromosomes, four gametes are produced, however, these may have the same genotypes. In the absence of crossing over, 2 genotypes would be produced - one for each allele of the parental somatic cells.

If we use an example homologous pair involving 3 genes, each of which have 2 alleles: One chromosome will have alleles A, B, and C, while the other has a, b, and c. In the absence of crossing over, the gametes produced would have either genotype ABC (from one chromosome) or genotype abc (from the other gamete). These would be produced in a 1:1 ratio (2 of each), and both represent parental genotypes.

However, if crossing over occurred at one chiasma between the B and C of one chromatid in a homologue, and b and c in a chromatid of the other homologue, this would produce two chromatids with genotypes ABc, and abC. These differ from the parental genotypes: these are recombinant gametes.

Along with the two parental gametes, these two recombinant gametes make four different gametes: ABC, ABc, abC, and abc. These are produced in a 1:1 ratio (1 of each.)

Answer: True

Prometaphase occurs in eukaryotic somatic cells, after prophase and before metaphase, during mitosis. In this stage, the nuclear envelope breaks down, microtubules attach to chromosomes, and begin to move them towards the center of the cell.

Answer: Plant cells

Preprophase is a stage which ensures that plant cells grow and elongate in the correct orientation, which is important because the cells are fixed with regard to their neighboring cells: it is vital, for example, that cells in shoots grow upward.

Answer: Apoptosis

Apoptosis involves a complex series of biochemical reactions which ultimately result in the death of the cell.

The incorrect answers:

Cytochalasin is a fungal metabolite which blocks the elongation and polymerization of actin.

Arabidopsis is a genus of small flowering plants related to mustard and cabbage. A member of this genus, Arabidopsis thaliana, is very commonly used by scientists as an ideal experimental system.

Consanguinity is the quality of being of the same lineage as someone, i.e. descended from a common ancestor.

Answer: G0 (Gap 0)

G0 is a non dividing phase. Some cells (e.g. muscle cells) enter this phase when they reach maturity and are terminally differentiated, but can still carry out their function for the rest of their life.

Answer: Down's Syndrome

Down's syndrome (Down syndrome in the USA) is also called Trisomy 21: it is caused by non-disjunction where all or part of a third chromosome 21 is present.

Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, and is mainly caused by viruses, bacteria, or other micro-organisms.

Spina bifida is a developmental birth defect, which results in an incomplete spinal cord. During development, the neural tube which will later go on to form the spinal cord fails to completely close.

Hemophilia is a hereditary X-linked disorder, resulting in impairment of clotting in the blood. There are two types: hemophilia A, which is a deficiency of Factor VIII, and hemophilia B, which is deficient in Factor IX.

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