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BIOL180 UNIT TEST 4 – CELL DIVISION, MITOSIS, AND
MEIOSIS EXAM PRACTICE 2026/2027 COMPLETE
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
BIOL
Prepare for the BIOL180 Unit Test 4 – Cell Division, Mitosis, and Meiosis Exam with this
focused practice resource designed to reinforce essential cell biology concepts. Use it
to review the cell cycle, stages of mitosis and meiosis, chromosome behavior, cellular
reproduction, and genetic variation. This resource can help strengthen your
understanding, identify areas that may require additional study, and improve your test
readiness. It provides a structured supplement to your coursework and supports a
more confident approach to the BIOL180 assessment.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Module 1: Cell Cycle and Interphase (Questions 1–20)
1. What is the primary purpose of cell division in multicellular organisms?
A. To produce gametes only
B. To allow growth, repair, and replacement of cells
C. To eliminate all old cells permanently
D. To increase genetic mutations
Answer: B
Rationale: Cell division allows organisms to grow, repair damaged
tissues, and replace worn-out cells. Gamete production is only one
specialized function.
2. In which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?
A. G1
B. S
C. G2
D. M
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Answer: B
Rationale: DNA replication occurs during the S phase, or synthesis phase,
of interphase.
3. What are the three stages of interphase in order?
A. Prophase, metaphase, anaphase
B. G1, S, G2
C. Mitosis, cytokinesis, G0
D. S, G2, M
Answer: B
Rationale: Interphase consists of G1, S, and G2. Mitosis and cytokinesis
occur after interphase.
4. During which phase does the cell grow and carry out normal metabolic
functions?
A. G1
B. S
C. G2
D. M
Answer: A
Rationale: G1 is the first gap phase, where the cell grows, produces
organelles, and performs normal functions.
5. During which phase does the cell prepare for mitosis by producing
proteins and checking DNA?
A. G1
B. S
C. G2
D. G0
Answer: C
Rationale: G2 is the second gap phase, where the cell prepares for mitosis
and checks for DNA damage.
6. What is G0?
A. A phase of active DNA replication
B. A non-dividing resting phase
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C. The final stage of mitosis
D. The first stage of meiosis
Answer: B
Rationale: G0 is a resting phase where cells are not actively preparing to
divide. Some cells remain in G0 permanently.
7. If a human somatic cell has 46 chromosomes in G1, how many
chromosomes does it have after S phase?
A. 23
B. 46
C. 92
D. 0
Answer: B
Rationale: DNA replication doubles the DNA content, but chromosome
number remains 46. Each chromosome now consists of two sister
chromatids.
8. After S phase, how many chromatids are present in a human somatic
cell?
A. 23
B. 46
C. 92
D. 184
Answer: C
Rationale: Each of the 46 chromosomes consists of two sister
chromatids, giving 92 chromatids total.
9. What is chromatin?
A. Condensed chromosomes
B. The complex of DNA and proteins in the nucleus
C. The spindle apparatus
D. The nuclear membrane
Answer: B
Rationale: Chromatin is the DNA-protein complex that makes up
chromosomes during interphase.
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10. What is a chromosome?
A. A condensed structure of DNA and proteins visible during cell division
B. A type of organelle
C. A membrane-bound sac
D. A protein only
Answer: A
Rationale: A chromosome is a condensed, organized structure of DNA and
proteins that becomes visible during cell division.
11. What is a chromatid?
A. A chromosome before replication
B. One of two identical copies of a replicated chromosome
C. A type of spindle fiber
D. A nuclear pore
Answer: B
Rationale: A chromatid is one of the two identical strands of a replicated
chromosome, joined at the centromere.
12. What is the centromere?
A. The region where sister chromatids are joined
B. The tip of a chromosome
C. The nuclear envelope
D. A microtubule
Answer: A
Rationale: The centromere is the constricted region where sister
chromatids are joined and where spindle fibers attach.
13. What are sister chromatids?
A. Non-identical chromosomes from different parents
B. Identical copies of a chromosome formed by DNA replication
C. Homologous chromosomes
D. Gametes
Answer: B
Rationale: Sister chromatids are identical copies formed during DNA
replication and are joined at the centromere.
BIOL180 UNIT TEST 4 – CELL DIVISION, MITOSIS, AND
MEIOSIS EXAM PRACTICE 2026/2027 COMPLETE
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
BIOL
Prepare for the BIOL180 Unit Test 4 – Cell Division, Mitosis, and Meiosis Exam with this
focused practice resource designed to reinforce essential cell biology concepts. Use it
to review the cell cycle, stages of mitosis and meiosis, chromosome behavior, cellular
reproduction, and genetic variation. This resource can help strengthen your
understanding, identify areas that may require additional study, and improve your test
readiness. It provides a structured supplement to your coursework and supports a
more confident approach to the BIOL180 assessment.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Module 1: Cell Cycle and Interphase (Questions 1–20)
1. What is the primary purpose of cell division in multicellular organisms?
A. To produce gametes only
B. To allow growth, repair, and replacement of cells
C. To eliminate all old cells permanently
D. To increase genetic mutations
Answer: B
Rationale: Cell division allows organisms to grow, repair damaged
tissues, and replace worn-out cells. Gamete production is only one
specialized function.
2. In which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?
A. G1
B. S
C. G2
D. M
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Answer: B
Rationale: DNA replication occurs during the S phase, or synthesis phase,
of interphase.
3. What are the three stages of interphase in order?
A. Prophase, metaphase, anaphase
B. G1, S, G2
C. Mitosis, cytokinesis, G0
D. S, G2, M
Answer: B
Rationale: Interphase consists of G1, S, and G2. Mitosis and cytokinesis
occur after interphase.
4. During which phase does the cell grow and carry out normal metabolic
functions?
A. G1
B. S
C. G2
D. M
Answer: A
Rationale: G1 is the first gap phase, where the cell grows, produces
organelles, and performs normal functions.
5. During which phase does the cell prepare for mitosis by producing
proteins and checking DNA?
A. G1
B. S
C. G2
D. G0
Answer: C
Rationale: G2 is the second gap phase, where the cell prepares for mitosis
and checks for DNA damage.
6. What is G0?
A. A phase of active DNA replication
B. A non-dividing resting phase
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C. The final stage of mitosis
D. The first stage of meiosis
Answer: B
Rationale: G0 is a resting phase where cells are not actively preparing to
divide. Some cells remain in G0 permanently.
7. If a human somatic cell has 46 chromosomes in G1, how many
chromosomes does it have after S phase?
A. 23
B. 46
C. 92
D. 0
Answer: B
Rationale: DNA replication doubles the DNA content, but chromosome
number remains 46. Each chromosome now consists of two sister
chromatids.
8. After S phase, how many chromatids are present in a human somatic
cell?
A. 23
B. 46
C. 92
D. 184
Answer: C
Rationale: Each of the 46 chromosomes consists of two sister
chromatids, giving 92 chromatids total.
9. What is chromatin?
A. Condensed chromosomes
B. The complex of DNA and proteins in the nucleus
C. The spindle apparatus
D. The nuclear membrane
Answer: B
Rationale: Chromatin is the DNA-protein complex that makes up
chromosomes during interphase.
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10. What is a chromosome?
A. A condensed structure of DNA and proteins visible during cell division
B. A type of organelle
C. A membrane-bound sac
D. A protein only
Answer: A
Rationale: A chromosome is a condensed, organized structure of DNA and
proteins that becomes visible during cell division.
11. What is a chromatid?
A. A chromosome before replication
B. One of two identical copies of a replicated chromosome
C. A type of spindle fiber
D. A nuclear pore
Answer: B
Rationale: A chromatid is one of the two identical strands of a replicated
chromosome, joined at the centromere.
12. What is the centromere?
A. The region where sister chromatids are joined
B. The tip of a chromosome
C. The nuclear envelope
D. A microtubule
Answer: A
Rationale: The centromere is the constricted region where sister
chromatids are joined and where spindle fibers attach.
13. What are sister chromatids?
A. Non-identical chromosomes from different parents
B. Identical copies of a chromosome formed by DNA replication
C. Homologous chromosomes
D. Gametes
Answer: B
Rationale: Sister chromatids are identical copies formed during DNA
replication and are joined at the centromere.
