Question

Which one of the following is not a characteristic of cleavage?

• A. Mitotic divisions
• B. Cells of continuously smaller size
• C. Increase in the synthesis of DNA
• D. Increase of protoplasm

Answer 1

The correct option is D Increase of protoplasm

Cleavage is mitotic division and the daughter cells that are formed have genetically similar characters to the parent cell. In cleavage, the size of the cell becomes smaller and smaller because there is no growth in the interphase. During this process, the whole DNA genome of the embryo divides at a rate $60$ times faster than the normal pace of DNA replication in a somatic cell, which means increase in the synthesis of DNA.

So, the correct answer is- option c.