Question

Look at the figure given and answer the questions given alongside.

1. Identify the stage.
2. Label the parts (i) and (ii)
3. Name the next stage.
4. How many chromosomes are shown in this stage?

Answer 1

1. Metaphase.

1. In the cell cycle, metaphase is when all of the genetic material is condensed into chromosomes.
2. During the metaphase stage, the equatorial or metaphase plate is formed.
3. The plane formed in the middle between the poles of a dividing cell during the metaphase stage of mitosis or meiosis is formed by the movement of chromosomes to the center of the spindle.

b. (i) Centromere.

Definition:

1. A centromere is a narrowed section of a chromosome that divides it into two arms: short and long. The chromosomes first duplicate during cell division so that each daughter cell has a complete set of chromosomes.
2. The centromere's major purpose is to lay the groundwork for the kinetochore, a protein complex that is required for correct chromosomal segregation during mitosis.

b. (ii) Metaphase plate.

Definition:

1. The metaphase plate is a plane or region that is about equidistant from a dividing cell's two poles.

2. It draws a line that is equidistant from both of the cell's poles across the cell. This gives the chromosomes a location to align themselves before being pulled apart.

Summary:

c. Anaphase.

Definition:

1. The chromosomes travel toward the spindle poles during the anaphase stage of mitosis and meiosis.
2. It is the process of separating the duplicated genetic material contained in the nucleus of a parent cell into two identical daughter cells from the duplicated genetic material carried in the nucleus of a parent cell.

d. Three chromosomes are shown in this stage.