Question

What will be the amount of DNA in a pollen grain if its mother cell has 32 picogram DNA in G${}_2$ phase?

• A. 16 pg
• B. 32 pg
• C. 8 pg
• D. 4 pg

Answer 1

The correct option is C 8 pg

G${}_2$ phase comes after S phase. In S phase synthesis of DNA occurs. The amount of DNA doubles but the chromosome number or diploid content of the cell remains the same. So, if the mother cell has 32 picogram DNA in G${}_2$, this means originally the cell has 16 picogram of DNA.

The mother cell which forms the pollen grain is diploid and undergo meiosis to produce haploid pollen grains.

So, if the diploid mother cell has originally 16 picogram of DNA, the amount of DNA in haploid pollen grain would be equal to half of 16 i.e. 8 picogram.

So, the correct answer is '8 pg'.