BIOL133 K006 Mitosis Lab Spring
2026 with complete solution
Course
BIOL 133
1. Why are onion root tips commonly used to study mitosis?
A. Root-tip cells never undergo cell division
B. Root tips contain actively dividing meristematic cells
C. Root cells contain no chromosomes
D. Root tips contain only dead cells
Answer: B. Root tips contain actively dividing meristematic cells
Complete solution: The root tip contains meristematic tissue where cells actively divide to
support root growth. This makes many stages of the cell cycle observable in a prepared slide.
2. Which phase occupies most of the cell cycle?
A. Interphase
B. Prophase
C. Metaphase
D. Anaphase
Answer: A. Interphase
Complete solution: Interphase generally occupies the largest portion of the cell cycle. During
interphase, the cell grows, performs normal functions, duplicates its DNA, and prepares for
division.
3. During which phase is DNA replicated?
A. G1
B. S
C. G2
D. M
Answer: B. S
Complete solution: DNA replication occurs during the S (synthesis) phase of interphase. Each
chromosome is replicated so that sister chromatids are available for subsequent chromosome
segregation.
,4. Which event characterizes the G1 phase?
A. Sister chromatids separate
B. Cell growth and normal cellular activity
C. Chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate
D. Nuclear envelopes reform
Answer: B. Cell growth and normal cellular activity
Complete solution: G1 is a growth and metabolic phase. The cell increases in size and performs
its normal functions before DNA replication.
5. What is an important function of G2?
A. Replication of all chromosomes for the first time
B. Preparation for mitosis and checking cellular conditions
C. Separation of sister chromatids
D. Formation of the cell plate
Answer: B. Preparation for mitosis and checking cellular conditions
Complete solution: During G2, the cell continues growing and produces materials needed for
mitosis while preparing to enter the M phase.
6. A microscope image shows a cell with a distinct nucleus and diffuse chromatin. Which stage
is most likely represented?
A. Interphase
B. Metaphase
C. Anaphase
D. Telophase
Answer: A. Interphase
Complete solution: Interphase cells typically have an intact nucleus and chromatin that is not
condensed into the clearly visible chromosomes characteristic of mitosis.
7. Which observation is characteristic of prophase?
A. Chromosomes condense and become visible
B. Sister chromatids are completely separated
C. Two daughter nuclei are fully established
D. DNA is being replicated
Answer: A. Chromosomes condense and become visible
, Complete solution: During prophase, chromatin condenses into recognizable chromosomes.
The mitotic apparatus develops as the cell prepares to separate its chromosomes.
8. Which feature best identifies metaphase?
A. Chromosomes are scattered throughout the nucleus
B. Chromosomes align near the center of the cell
C. Sister chromatids have reached opposite poles
D. Two new nuclei have completely formed
Answer: B. Chromosomes align near the center of the cell
Complete solution: During metaphase, chromosomes are positioned at the cell's equatorial
region, commonly called the metaphase plate.
9. What happens during anaphase?
A. DNA is replicated
B. Chromosomes condense for the first time
C. Sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles
D. The cell returns to G1
Answer: C. Sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles
Complete solution: In anaphase, sister chromatids separate and are moved toward opposite
ends of the cell by the spindle apparatus.
10. Which observation is most characteristic of telophase?
A. Chromosomes align at the equator
B. Sister chromatids begin separating
C. New nuclei form around separated chromosome groups
D. DNA replication begins
Answer: C. New nuclei form around separated chromosome groups
Complete solution: During telophase, chromosomes reach opposite poles, begin to
decondense, and nuclear envelopes reform around the chromosome sets.
11. Which sequence correctly represents the major stages of mitosis?
A. Metaphase → prophase → telophase → anaphase
B. Prophase → metaphase → anaphase → telophase
C. Anaphase → metaphase → prophase → telophase
D. Telophase → anaphase → metaphase → prophase
2026 with complete solution
Course
BIOL 133
1. Why are onion root tips commonly used to study mitosis?
A. Root-tip cells never undergo cell division
B. Root tips contain actively dividing meristematic cells
C. Root cells contain no chromosomes
D. Root tips contain only dead cells
Answer: B. Root tips contain actively dividing meristematic cells
Complete solution: The root tip contains meristematic tissue where cells actively divide to
support root growth. This makes many stages of the cell cycle observable in a prepared slide.
2. Which phase occupies most of the cell cycle?
A. Interphase
B. Prophase
C. Metaphase
D. Anaphase
Answer: A. Interphase
Complete solution: Interphase generally occupies the largest portion of the cell cycle. During
interphase, the cell grows, performs normal functions, duplicates its DNA, and prepares for
division.
3. During which phase is DNA replicated?
A. G1
B. S
C. G2
D. M
Answer: B. S
Complete solution: DNA replication occurs during the S (synthesis) phase of interphase. Each
chromosome is replicated so that sister chromatids are available for subsequent chromosome
segregation.
,4. Which event characterizes the G1 phase?
A. Sister chromatids separate
B. Cell growth and normal cellular activity
C. Chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate
D. Nuclear envelopes reform
Answer: B. Cell growth and normal cellular activity
Complete solution: G1 is a growth and metabolic phase. The cell increases in size and performs
its normal functions before DNA replication.
5. What is an important function of G2?
A. Replication of all chromosomes for the first time
B. Preparation for mitosis and checking cellular conditions
C. Separation of sister chromatids
D. Formation of the cell plate
Answer: B. Preparation for mitosis and checking cellular conditions
Complete solution: During G2, the cell continues growing and produces materials needed for
mitosis while preparing to enter the M phase.
6. A microscope image shows a cell with a distinct nucleus and diffuse chromatin. Which stage
is most likely represented?
A. Interphase
B. Metaphase
C. Anaphase
D. Telophase
Answer: A. Interphase
Complete solution: Interphase cells typically have an intact nucleus and chromatin that is not
condensed into the clearly visible chromosomes characteristic of mitosis.
7. Which observation is characteristic of prophase?
A. Chromosomes condense and become visible
B. Sister chromatids are completely separated
C. Two daughter nuclei are fully established
D. DNA is being replicated
Answer: A. Chromosomes condense and become visible
, Complete solution: During prophase, chromatin condenses into recognizable chromosomes.
The mitotic apparatus develops as the cell prepares to separate its chromosomes.
8. Which feature best identifies metaphase?
A. Chromosomes are scattered throughout the nucleus
B. Chromosomes align near the center of the cell
C. Sister chromatids have reached opposite poles
D. Two new nuclei have completely formed
Answer: B. Chromosomes align near the center of the cell
Complete solution: During metaphase, chromosomes are positioned at the cell's equatorial
region, commonly called the metaphase plate.
9. What happens during anaphase?
A. DNA is replicated
B. Chromosomes condense for the first time
C. Sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles
D. The cell returns to G1
Answer: C. Sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles
Complete solution: In anaphase, sister chromatids separate and are moved toward opposite
ends of the cell by the spindle apparatus.
10. Which observation is most characteristic of telophase?
A. Chromosomes align at the equator
B. Sister chromatids begin separating
C. New nuclei form around separated chromosome groups
D. DNA replication begins
Answer: C. New nuclei form around separated chromosome groups
Complete solution: During telophase, chromosomes reach opposite poles, begin to
decondense, and nuclear envelopes reform around the chromosome sets.
11. Which sequence correctly represents the major stages of mitosis?
A. Metaphase → prophase → telophase → anaphase
B. Prophase → metaphase → anaphase → telophase
C. Anaphase → metaphase → prophase → telophase
D. Telophase → anaphase → metaphase → prophase
