BIOL133 K006 Mitosis Lab Actual Exam 2026/2027 –
Complete Spring Lab Solution with Detailed Rationales |
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Section A: Cell Cycle & Mitosis Fundamentals
Q1: A student is examining a human somatic cell under the microscope and counts 46
chromosomes. The student then examines a human sperm cell and counts 23
chromosomes. Which term correctly describes the chromosome number of the somatic
cell?
A. Haploid (1n) with half the chromosome number
B. Diploid (2n) with two sets of chromosomes [CORRECT]
C. Polyploid with multiple sets of chromosomes
D. Aneuploid with an abnormal chromosome number
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Human somatic cells contain 46 chromosomes (2n or diploid), consisting of
23 pairs—one set inherited from each parent; gametes (sperm and egg) are haploid (1n
or 23 chromosomes) with half the somatic number. Polyploid cells have more than two
sets; aneuploid cells have abnormal chromosome numbers (trisomy, monosomy).
Q2: A student is reviewing the cell cycle and notes that the majority of cells in a tissue
sample appear to be in interphase. Which statement best explains why interphase is the
longest phase of the cell cycle?
A. Interphase includes mitosis and cytokinesis
B. Interphase includes G1, S, and G2 phases where the cell grows, replicates DNA, and
prepares for division [CORRECT]
,C. Interphase is a resting phase where no cellular activity occurs
D. Interphase only includes the S phase of DNA replication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Interphase is the longest phase because it encompasses three subphases:
G1 (cell growth and protein synthesis), S (DNA replication), and G2 (additional growth
and preparation for mitosis); these processes require significant time and metabolic
resources. Interphase does not include mitosis or cytokinesis; it is metabolically active,
not a resting phase; it includes more than just S phase.
Q3: A student is asked to identify the primary goal of mitotic cell division. Which
statement is correct?
A. To produce genetically diverse daughter cells for sexual reproduction
B. To produce two genetically identical daughter cells with the same chromosome
number as the parent cell [CORRECT]
C. To reduce the chromosome number by half in preparation for fertilization
D. To produce four daughter cells from one parent cell
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal of mitosis is to produce two genetically identical daughter
cells that are diploid (2n), each receiving an exact copy of the parent cell's DNA; this
ensures genetic continuity for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. Genetic diversity
is produced by meiosis; chromosome reduction occurs in meiosis; four daughter cells
are produced by meiosis, not mitosis.
Q4: A student observes that in non-dividing cells, the genetic material appears as a
diffuse, granular substance within the nucleus. Which term describes this form of
genetic material?
A. Chromosomes with condensed, visible structures
, B. Chromatin composed of DNA and proteins [CORRECT]
C. Chromatids with duplicated DNA strands
D. Centromeres with spindle attachment sites
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In non-dividing cells, genetic material exists as chromatin—a complex of DNA
and histone proteins that appears diffuse and granular under the microscope; chromatin
condenses into visible chromosomes only during cell division. Chromosomes are
condensed structures visible during mitosis; chromatids are duplicated DNA strands
joined at centromeres; centromeres are chromosome regions for spindle attachment.
Q5: A student is studying cell division in bacteria and observes that the cell simply
divides into two equal halves without nuclear envelope breakdown or spindle formation.
Which type of cell division is occurring?
A. Mitosis with chromosome condensation and spindle formation
B. Binary fission with simple cell division without nuclear envelope [CORRECT]
C. Meiosis with chromosome reduction and genetic recombination
D. Cytokinesis with contractile ring formation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Binary fission is the cell division process in prokaryotes (bacteria) where the
cell elongates, replicates its DNA, and divides into two equal daughter cells without a
nuclear envelope, spindle apparatus, or chromosome condensation; it is a simpler
process than eukaryotic mitosis. Mitosis and meiosis are eukaryotic processes;
cytokinesis is the division of cytoplasm that follows mitosis in eukaryotes.
Q6: A student is examining a tissue sample and notes that some cells have exited the
cell cycle and are no longer actively dividing. These cells are performing their
specialized functions but will not divide again under normal conditions. Which phase
describes these cells?
Complete Spring Lab Solution with Detailed Rationales |
100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section A: Cell Cycle & Mitosis Fundamentals
Q1: A student is examining a human somatic cell under the microscope and counts 46
chromosomes. The student then examines a human sperm cell and counts 23
chromosomes. Which term correctly describes the chromosome number of the somatic
cell?
A. Haploid (1n) with half the chromosome number
B. Diploid (2n) with two sets of chromosomes [CORRECT]
C. Polyploid with multiple sets of chromosomes
D. Aneuploid with an abnormal chromosome number
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Human somatic cells contain 46 chromosomes (2n or diploid), consisting of
23 pairs—one set inherited from each parent; gametes (sperm and egg) are haploid (1n
or 23 chromosomes) with half the somatic number. Polyploid cells have more than two
sets; aneuploid cells have abnormal chromosome numbers (trisomy, monosomy).
Q2: A student is reviewing the cell cycle and notes that the majority of cells in a tissue
sample appear to be in interphase. Which statement best explains why interphase is the
longest phase of the cell cycle?
A. Interphase includes mitosis and cytokinesis
B. Interphase includes G1, S, and G2 phases where the cell grows, replicates DNA, and
prepares for division [CORRECT]
,C. Interphase is a resting phase where no cellular activity occurs
D. Interphase only includes the S phase of DNA replication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Interphase is the longest phase because it encompasses three subphases:
G1 (cell growth and protein synthesis), S (DNA replication), and G2 (additional growth
and preparation for mitosis); these processes require significant time and metabolic
resources. Interphase does not include mitosis or cytokinesis; it is metabolically active,
not a resting phase; it includes more than just S phase.
Q3: A student is asked to identify the primary goal of mitotic cell division. Which
statement is correct?
A. To produce genetically diverse daughter cells for sexual reproduction
B. To produce two genetically identical daughter cells with the same chromosome
number as the parent cell [CORRECT]
C. To reduce the chromosome number by half in preparation for fertilization
D. To produce four daughter cells from one parent cell
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal of mitosis is to produce two genetically identical daughter
cells that are diploid (2n), each receiving an exact copy of the parent cell's DNA; this
ensures genetic continuity for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. Genetic diversity
is produced by meiosis; chromosome reduction occurs in meiosis; four daughter cells
are produced by meiosis, not mitosis.
Q4: A student observes that in non-dividing cells, the genetic material appears as a
diffuse, granular substance within the nucleus. Which term describes this form of
genetic material?
A. Chromosomes with condensed, visible structures
, B. Chromatin composed of DNA and proteins [CORRECT]
C. Chromatids with duplicated DNA strands
D. Centromeres with spindle attachment sites
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In non-dividing cells, genetic material exists as chromatin—a complex of DNA
and histone proteins that appears diffuse and granular under the microscope; chromatin
condenses into visible chromosomes only during cell division. Chromosomes are
condensed structures visible during mitosis; chromatids are duplicated DNA strands
joined at centromeres; centromeres are chromosome regions for spindle attachment.
Q5: A student is studying cell division in bacteria and observes that the cell simply
divides into two equal halves without nuclear envelope breakdown or spindle formation.
Which type of cell division is occurring?
A. Mitosis with chromosome condensation and spindle formation
B. Binary fission with simple cell division without nuclear envelope [CORRECT]
C. Meiosis with chromosome reduction and genetic recombination
D. Cytokinesis with contractile ring formation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Binary fission is the cell division process in prokaryotes (bacteria) where the
cell elongates, replicates its DNA, and divides into two equal daughter cells without a
nuclear envelope, spindle apparatus, or chromosome condensation; it is a simpler
process than eukaryotic mitosis. Mitosis and meiosis are eukaryotic processes;
cytokinesis is the division of cytoplasm that follows mitosis in eukaryotes.
Q6: A student is examining a tissue sample and notes that some cells have exited the
cell cycle and are no longer actively dividing. These cells are performing their
specialized functions but will not divide again under normal conditions. Which phase
describes these cells?
