BIO 202: EXAM 2 COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW | 250+ QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES | 2026/2027 LATEST
UPDATE
YOUR COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE FOR BIO 202
EXAM 2 — COVERING CELL DIVISION, GENETICS,
DNA REPLICATION, TRANSCRIPTION,
TRANSLATION, AND METABOLISM
SECTION 1: CELL DIVISION — MITOSIS AND MEIOSIS
(Questions 1–50)
The Cell Cycle
The eukaryotic cell cycle consists of interphase (G₁, S, G₂) and the mitotic phase
(mitosis + cytokinesis). During G₁, the cell grows and carries out normal functions.
During S phase, DNA replication occurs, producing sister chromatids. During G₂, the cell
prepares for division by synthesizing proteins and organelles. Mitosis divides the
nucleus, and cytokinesis divides the cytoplasm.
Mitosis Stages
Prophase: Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes; spindle fibers form; nuclear
envelope breaks down.
,Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate; spindle fibers attach to
centromeres.
Anaphase: Sister chromatids separate and migrate to opposite poles.
Telophase: Chromosomes decondense; nuclear envelope reforms; cytokinesis begins.
Meiosis
Meiosis produces four haploid daughter cells from one diploid parent cell. It involves
two rounds of division (Meiosis I and Meiosis II). Meiosis I is reductional —
homologous chromosomes separate. Meiosis II is equational — sister chromatids
separate. Crossing over occurs during prophase I, generating genetic diversity.
Practice Questions: Cell Division
Question 1: During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?
A. G₁ phase
B. S phase
C. G₂ phase
D. M phase
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DNA replication occurs during the S (synthesis) phase of interphase. During
S phase, each chromosome is replicated to produce two identical sister chromatids held
together at the centromere. G₁ (A) is the first gap phase where the cell grows. G₂ (C) is
the second gap phase where the cell prepares for division. M phase (D) is when mitosis
and cytokinesis occur.
Question 2: If a parental cell has 14 chromosomes prior to mitosis, how many
chromosomes will each daughter cell have?
,A. 7
B. 14
C. 28
D. 21
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitosis produces genetically identical daughter cells with the same
chromosome number as the parent cell. If the parent has 14 chromosomes, each
daughter cell will also have 14. Option A (7) would be the result of meiosis. Option C
(28) would result from failure of cytokinesis. Option D (21) has no biological basis here.
Question 3: Which of the following correctly describes a key difference between mitosis
and meiosis?
A. Mitosis produces four haploid cells; meiosis produces two diploid cells.
B. Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells; meiosis produces four
genetically diverse haploid cells.
C. Mitosis involves crossing over; meiosis does not.
D. Mitosis occurs only in gametes; meiosis occurs in somatic cells.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitosis produces two identical diploid daughter cells for growth and
repair. Meiosis produces four genetically diverse haploid cells for sexual reproduction.
Option A reverses the products. Option C is incorrect — crossing over occurs in meiosis,
not mitosis. Option D is incorrect — mitosis occurs in somatic cells, meiosis in germ
cells.
Question 4: During which stage of mitosis do sister chromatids separate and migrate to
opposite poles?
A. Prophase
B. Metaphase
, C. Anaphase
D. Telophase
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Anaphase is characterized by the separation of sister chromatids, which are
pulled to opposite poles by shortening spindle fibers. Prophase (A) involves
chromosome condensation. Metaphase (B) involves alignment at the metaphase plate.
Telophase (D) involves nuclear envelope reformation.
Question 5: Crossing over, which increases genetic diversity, occurs during which phase
of meiosis?
A. Prophase I
B. Metaphase I
C. Anaphase II
D. Telophase II
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Crossing over occurs during prophase I of meiosis, when homologous
chromosomes pair up (synapsis) and exchange genetic material at the chiasmata. This is
a key source of genetic variation. Metaphase I (B) involves alignment of homologous
pairs. Anaphase II (C) involves separation of sister chromatids. Telophase II (D) involves
formation of four haploid nuclei.
Question 6: What is the main difference between the products of mitosis and meiosis in
animal cells?
A. Mitosis produces two diploid cells; meiosis produces four haploid cells.
B. Mitosis produces four haploid cells; meiosis produces two diploid cells.
C. Both produce two diploid cells.
D. Both produce four haploid cells.
REVIEW | 250+ QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES | 2026/2027 LATEST
UPDATE
YOUR COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE FOR BIO 202
EXAM 2 — COVERING CELL DIVISION, GENETICS,
DNA REPLICATION, TRANSCRIPTION,
TRANSLATION, AND METABOLISM
SECTION 1: CELL DIVISION — MITOSIS AND MEIOSIS
(Questions 1–50)
The Cell Cycle
The eukaryotic cell cycle consists of interphase (G₁, S, G₂) and the mitotic phase
(mitosis + cytokinesis). During G₁, the cell grows and carries out normal functions.
During S phase, DNA replication occurs, producing sister chromatids. During G₂, the cell
prepares for division by synthesizing proteins and organelles. Mitosis divides the
nucleus, and cytokinesis divides the cytoplasm.
Mitosis Stages
Prophase: Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes; spindle fibers form; nuclear
envelope breaks down.
,Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate; spindle fibers attach to
centromeres.
Anaphase: Sister chromatids separate and migrate to opposite poles.
Telophase: Chromosomes decondense; nuclear envelope reforms; cytokinesis begins.
Meiosis
Meiosis produces four haploid daughter cells from one diploid parent cell. It involves
two rounds of division (Meiosis I and Meiosis II). Meiosis I is reductional —
homologous chromosomes separate. Meiosis II is equational — sister chromatids
separate. Crossing over occurs during prophase I, generating genetic diversity.
Practice Questions: Cell Division
Question 1: During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?
A. G₁ phase
B. S phase
C. G₂ phase
D. M phase
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DNA replication occurs during the S (synthesis) phase of interphase. During
S phase, each chromosome is replicated to produce two identical sister chromatids held
together at the centromere. G₁ (A) is the first gap phase where the cell grows. G₂ (C) is
the second gap phase where the cell prepares for division. M phase (D) is when mitosis
and cytokinesis occur.
Question 2: If a parental cell has 14 chromosomes prior to mitosis, how many
chromosomes will each daughter cell have?
,A. 7
B. 14
C. 28
D. 21
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitosis produces genetically identical daughter cells with the same
chromosome number as the parent cell. If the parent has 14 chromosomes, each
daughter cell will also have 14. Option A (7) would be the result of meiosis. Option C
(28) would result from failure of cytokinesis. Option D (21) has no biological basis here.
Question 3: Which of the following correctly describes a key difference between mitosis
and meiosis?
A. Mitosis produces four haploid cells; meiosis produces two diploid cells.
B. Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells; meiosis produces four
genetically diverse haploid cells.
C. Mitosis involves crossing over; meiosis does not.
D. Mitosis occurs only in gametes; meiosis occurs in somatic cells.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitosis produces two identical diploid daughter cells for growth and
repair. Meiosis produces four genetically diverse haploid cells for sexual reproduction.
Option A reverses the products. Option C is incorrect — crossing over occurs in meiosis,
not mitosis. Option D is incorrect — mitosis occurs in somatic cells, meiosis in germ
cells.
Question 4: During which stage of mitosis do sister chromatids separate and migrate to
opposite poles?
A. Prophase
B. Metaphase
, C. Anaphase
D. Telophase
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Anaphase is characterized by the separation of sister chromatids, which are
pulled to opposite poles by shortening spindle fibers. Prophase (A) involves
chromosome condensation. Metaphase (B) involves alignment at the metaphase plate.
Telophase (D) involves nuclear envelope reformation.
Question 5: Crossing over, which increases genetic diversity, occurs during which phase
of meiosis?
A. Prophase I
B. Metaphase I
C. Anaphase II
D. Telophase II
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Crossing over occurs during prophase I of meiosis, when homologous
chromosomes pair up (synapsis) and exchange genetic material at the chiasmata. This is
a key source of genetic variation. Metaphase I (B) involves alignment of homologous
pairs. Anaphase II (C) involves separation of sister chromatids. Telophase II (D) involves
formation of four haploid nuclei.
Question 6: What is the main difference between the products of mitosis and meiosis in
animal cells?
A. Mitosis produces two diploid cells; meiosis produces four haploid cells.
B. Mitosis produces four haploid cells; meiosis produces two diploid cells.
C. Both produce two diploid cells.
D. Both produce four haploid cells.