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Ch. 3 The Cell
Amerman - Human Anatomy & Physiology 2nd Edition
Amerman2nd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136873822Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksAmerman 2nd EditionCh. 3 The CellProblem 19b
Chapter 3, Problem 19b

Mark the following statements about the cell cycle as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
During metaphase, the sister chromatids are pulled apart and the chromosomes move to the opposite poles of the cell.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the cell cycle and its phases: The cell cycle consists of interphase (G1, S, G2) and mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase). Metaphase is a specific stage within mitosis.
Review the events of metaphase: During metaphase, chromosomes align at the metaphase plate (the center of the cell). The sister chromatids are attached to spindle fibers originating from opposite poles of the cell.
Compare the statement to the correct events of metaphase: The statement claims that sister chromatids are pulled apart during metaphase, but this event actually occurs during anaphase, not metaphase.
Correct the false statement: The corrected statement should read, 'During metaphase, the chromosomes align at the metaphase plate, and spindle fibers attach to the sister chromatids from opposite poles of the cell.'
Summarize the distinction between metaphase and anaphase: Metaphase involves alignment of chromosomes, while anaphase involves the separation of sister chromatids and their movement toward opposite poles of the cell.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Cell Cycle Stages

The cell cycle consists of several stages, including interphase (G1, S, G2) and mitotic phase (M). During interphase, the cell grows and duplicates its DNA, while the mitotic phase includes prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, where the cell divides. Understanding these stages is crucial for analyzing the processes that occur during cell division.
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Cell Cycle Regulation

Metaphase

Metaphase is a specific stage in mitosis where chromosomes align at the cell's equatorial plane, known as the metaphase plate. During this phase, the spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes, ensuring that each sister chromatid will be pulled apart correctly during the next phase, anaphase. The statement in the question incorrectly describes the events of metaphase.
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Metaphase

Anaphase

Anaphase is the stage of mitosis that follows metaphase, where the sister chromatids are separated and pulled toward opposite poles of the cell. This separation is facilitated by the shortening of spindle fibers, ensuring that each new daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes. Recognizing the distinction between metaphase and anaphase is essential for accurately understanding the cell cycle.
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Anaphase
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Match the following terms with the correct definitions. 

G1     

Metaphase     

S phase     

Cytokinesis 

Telophase

M phase

G2 

Anaphase

a. Division of the cytoplasm

b. Second growth stage of the cell cycle

c. Stage of the cell cycle in which the cell divides

d. Stage of mitosis in which the sister chromatids line up on the cell's equator

e. Stage of the cell cycle in which DNA is replicated

f. Stage of mitosis in which the chromosomes move to opposite poles of the cell

g. Initial growth phase of the cell cycle

h. Stage of mitosis in which the nuclear envelopes reassemble 

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Textbook Question

Mark the following statements about the cell cycle as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

The main enzyme that builds the new DNA strands during DNA synthesis is RNA synthetase.

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Textbook Question

Mark the following statements about the cell cycle as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

The first three stages of the cell cycle are collectively called interphase.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is not a phase of mitosis?

a. Interphase

b. Prophase

c. Anaphase

d. Metaphase

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Textbook Question

Why is regulation of the cell cycle necessary?

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Textbook Question

Mark the following statements about the cell cycle as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

During the S phase of the cell cycle, the cell stalls until conditions for division are more favorable

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