GED Science : Cells and Life

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Cells And Life

Which phase of mitosis involves the separation of sister chromatids? 

Possible Answers:

Telophase

Anaphase

Prophase

Metaphase

Correct answer:

Anaphase

Explanation:

Mitosis is composed of four primary phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

During prophase the chromosomes condense, the nuclear membrane dissolves, and spindle fibers begin to form. Metaphase marks the time when the chromosomes align at the center of the cell and the spindle fibers attach to the centers of the chromosomes. During anaphase, the spindle fibers contract, separating the sister chromatids and pulling them toward opposite poles of the cell. Telophase marks the beginning of cytokinesis, when the cell fully divides, and the nuclear membrane reappears.

The correct answer is anaphase.

Example Question #2 : Cells And Life

Place the steps of mitosis in the correct order.

Possible Answers:

Prophase, interphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase

Interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase

Interphase, metaphase, prophase, anaphase, telophase

Metaphase, prophase, anaphase, telophase

Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase

Correct answer:

Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase

Explanation:

Mitosis is the process of cell replication and division for most eukaryotic cells (with the exception of gametes, which undergo meiosis). Mitosis has four main stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Interphase is the portion of the cell cycle during which cell growth and DNA replication take place; it is not considered a stage of mitosis.

During prophase, the chromosomes form and the nuclear membrane dissolves. During metaphase, the chromosomes migrate to the center of the cell and align. During anaphase, spindle fibers pull the chromatids apart, separating sister chromatids to separate sides of the cell. During telophase, the nuclear membrane re-forms around the chromatids and the cytoplasm beings to divide to create two new daughter cells.

Example Question #3 : Cells And Life

The interphase of a cell's life cycle can be divided into which of the following phases?

Possible Answers:

Mitosis and cytokinesis

Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase

Mitosis and meiosis

Replication, rest, division

G0, G1, S, and G2

Correct answer:

G0, G1, S, and G2

Explanation:

Somatic cells spend the majority of their functional lives in interphase. In preparation for division, interphase can be divided into the G1, S and G2 phases. An interphase cell can also be in G0 phase, in this phase the cell is not preparing for mitosis but is performing all other normal cell functions.

Example Question #4 : Cells And Life

Mitosis and meiosis are both processes by which cells reproduce.

Which of the following statements is true about mitosis?

Possible Answers:

Mitosis creates gametes.

Mitosis results in the formation of 4 unique daughter cells.

Mitosis creates haploid cells that are exact copies of the original cell.

Mitosis creates haploid cells that are unique from the original cell.

Mitosis creates diploid cells that are exact copies of the original cell.

Correct answer:

Mitosis creates diploid cells that are exact copies of the original cell.

Explanation:

Mitosis creates two diploid daughter cells that are identical to the original cell. This process creates somatic (body cells).

Example Question #5 : Cells And Life

Which of the following is a key characteristic of metaphase?

Possible Answers:

The chromosomes move to a narrow central zone of the cell

DNA replicates and there are two copies of each chromosome

Chromosomes separate and move toward opposite ends of the cell

Chromosomes coil so tightly that they become visible at individual structures

Nuclear membranes form and the chromosomes gradually uncoil

Correct answer:

The chromosomes move to a narrow central zone of the cell

Explanation:

Metaphase is characterized by chromosomes moving to the narrow central zone of the cell called the metaphase plate/equator.

Example Question #6 : Cells And Life

Which of the following events does not take place during both mitosis and meiosis?

Possible Answers:

The condensing of chromosomes

Separation of sister chromatids

Crossing over between non-sister chromatids

Dissolving of the nuclear membrane

Correct answer:

Crossing over between non-sister chromatids

Explanation:

Crossing over is an event that recombines DNA between homologous, non-identical chromosomes. The result is an increase in genetic variation because the resulting daughter cells have slightly different genetic combinations than the original parent cell. Crossing over only occurs during meiosis. This is because homologous chromosomes are only in adjacent positions during prophase I. Crossing over cannot occur during mitosis because this alignment is never present; daughter cells of mitosis are always genetically identical to the parent cell.

Sister chromatids separate during anaphase of mitosis and anaphase II of meiosis. Chromosomes condense and the nuclear membrane dissolves during prophase of mitosis and prophase I of meiosis.

Example Question #7 : Cells And Life

Which of the following statements about meiosis is correct?

Possible Answers:

Meiosis supports asexual reproductive strategies

Meiosis increases genetic diversity through crossing over and independent assortment

Meiosis produces four daughter cells that are genetically identical to the original parent cell

Meiosis occurs in all of the body's cells

Meiosis produces diploid cells

Correct answer:

Meiosis increases genetic diversity through crossing over and independent assortment

Explanation:

Meiosis allows for increased genetic variation through crossing over and independent assortment. These processes result in daughter cells that are non-identical to the original parent cell. Crossing over describes the exchange of portions of DNA between homologous chromosomes, generating unique allelic combinations. Independent assortment means that the daughter cells of meiosis will have a mixture of genetic material from each set of the organism's alleles, representing DNA from both the mother and father sets of genes. The product of meiosis is four daughter cells that are genetically unique.

Each daughter cell of meiosis has only one copy of each gene, meaning that they are haploid. Only gametes (sex cells) undergo meiosis, allowing for sexual reproduction. The fusion of two haploid gametes results in a diploid cell.

Example Question #8 : Cells And Life

Mitosis and meiosis are both processes by which cells reproduce.

Which of the following is not true about meiosis?

Possible Answers:

Cells undergoing meiosis divide twice.

Meiosis produces identical somatic cells.

Meiosis produces 4 unique daughter cells.

Meiosis produces gametes.

Meiosis produces haploid cells.

Correct answer:

Meiosis produces identical somatic cells.

Explanation:

Meiosis is the process that creates gametes (eggs and sperm). The cell divides twice, creating 4 unique daughter cells that contain half (haploid) of the genetic information of the parent cell. Somatic cells are body cells and they are produced via mitosis.

Example Question #9 : Cells And Life

Which step in cellular respiration results in the most ATP being produced?

Possible Answers:

Fermentation

Oxidative phosphorylation

Glycolysis

The citric acid cycle

Correct answer:

Oxidative phosphorylation

Explanation:

Cellular respiration is composed of many steps used to break down glucose and convert the chemical energy into ATP. Of the four steps described in the answer choices, oxidative phosphorylation via the electron transport chain is the most effective step for producing ATP. The electron transport chain can produce between 32 and 38 ATP from a single glucose molecule.

Example Question #10 : Cells And Life

Where does glycolysis take place in the cell?

Possible Answers:

The intermembrane space

Cytosol

Chloroplast

Mitochondrial matrix

Correct answer:

Cytosol

Explanation:

Glycolysis is the first step of glucose breakdown in cells. This process takes place in the cytosol.

The second step of cellular respiration, the citric acid cycle, takes place in the mitochondrial matrix. The third step, the electron transport chain, takes place on the inner mitochondrial membrane and requires protons to be concentrated within the intermembrane space.

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