BMAT Biology Study Questions and Answers

What is the main 4 processes that happen when in cell division? Cells get bigger. The cell duplicates the DNA. The cell prepares to divide. The cell divides by mitosis. What is interphase? When the cell grows and duplicates the DNA. This will happen regardless what How many pairs of chromosomes do humans have? What do somatic cells have? 23 pairs of chromosomes and we usually call them 2n worth of genetic material. What is mitosis? Mitosis involves the replication of genetic material which means we now have 4n, replication of organelles and the splitting of the cell in two so we are back to 2n What does mitosis give as a result? It occurs in 2 diploid daughter cells which are genetically identical to the original(2n) What does diploid mean? containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent. What is the most straightforward effect of mitosis? It increases cell numbers so the organism grows For what other reasons do we need mitosis? (Cell death) Majority of organisms are unlikely to grow so mitosis takes place by just maintaining cell death which may occur due to senescnece or inflicted tissue damage. We maintain this balance by limiting the number of times a cell can divide before it dies. What happens if mitosis is out of control? Cell division happens much quicker than it is needed to replace dying cells and this causes tumours to grow. In what type of reproduction is mitosis used? asexual reproduction What happens in asexual reproduction? Daughter cells are created which are direct clones of the parent cell. What does meiosis form Sex cells (gametes)