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28
A cell has 32 chromosomes. It undergoes mitotic division. What will be the chromosome number ( $n$ ) during metaphase? What would be the DNA content (C) during anaphase?
Explanation
The mitotic cell division occurs in somatic cells of an organism. The chromosome number in the daughter cells remain same as that of the parent (dividing) cell, so even at metaphase or anaphase, the chromosome number does not change. The DNA content gets doubled at the synthetic phase of interphase and gets divided at anaphase but the chromosome number remains same.
29
While examining the mitotic stage in a tissue, one finds some cells with 16 chromosomes and some with 32 chromosomes. What possible reasons could you assign to this difference in chromosome number. Do you think cells with 16 chromosomes could have arisen from cells with 32 chromosomes or vice-versa?
Explanation
Such a condition may arise in case of a mosaic or mosaicism, which denotes preserve of two or more populations of cells with different genotypes in one individual. It can result from various mechanisms including non-disjunction, anaphase lagging and endoreplication. It may also result from a mutation during development which is propagated to only a subset of the adult cells. In this case, cells with 16 chromosomes could have arisen from cells with 32 chromosomes.
30

The following events occur during the various phases of the cell cycle. Name the phase against each of the events.

(a) Disintegration of nuclear membrane ............. .

(b) Appearance of nucleolus ........... .

(c) Division of centromere ........... .

(d) Replication of DNA ........... .

Explanation
(a) Prophase (b) Telophase (c) Anaphase (d) S-phase
31

Mitosis results in producing two cells which are similar to each other. What would be the consequence if each of the following irregularities occur during mitosis?

(a) Nuclear membrane fails to disintegrate

(b) Duplication of DNA does not occur

(c) Centromeres do not divide

(d) Cytokinesis does not occur

Explanation

(a) If nuclear membrane fails to disintegrate, the spindle fibres would not be able to reach chromosomes and they would not move towards opposite poles of the cell. In certain protozoans, such as Amoeba, the spindle is formed within the nucleus and this is called intranuclear mitosis or pre-mitosis.

(b) If DNA duplication does not occur than cell might not be able to surposs S-phase of cell-cycle as no chromosome formation will take place, and will not be able to enter M-(mitotic phase) or if in case it enters mitosis the cycle will cease,

(c) If the centromeres do not divide,one of the daughter cell will receive a complete pair of chromosomes and other cell would not get any of them. This may result in trisomy.

(d) If cytokinesis does not occur, then multinucleate condition called coenocyte, syncytium is produced, as in Rhizopus and Vaucheria, etc.

32
Both unicellular and multicellular organisms undergo mitosis. What are the differences, if any, observed in the process between the two?
Explanation

In unicellular organisms, the type of cell division is known as amitosis in which somatic cell is divided into two parts directly. In multicellular organisms occurs which is an indirect process.

Both cell division in unicellular and multicellular organisms undergo mitosis have differences as below

Cell Division in Unicellular Organism (Amitosis) Cell Division in Multicellular Organism (Mitosis)
It is direct division of cellular and nuclear content. Without the formation of chromosomes. Nucleus and cellular content do not divide directly and involves formation of chromosomes.
Different phases of cell divisions are not seen. It involves different phases of cell division.