Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

11. Cell Division

Cell Cycle Regulation

General Biology

11. Cell Division

Cell Cycle Regulation

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2:33 minutes

Problem 10

Textbook Question

Cytochalasin B is a chemical that disrupts microfilament formation. This chemical would interfere with:
a. DNA replication
b. Formation of the mitotic spindle
c. Cleavage
d. Formation of the cell plate

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of microfilaments in the cell. Microfilaments are part of the cytoskeleton and are primarily composed of actin. They play a key role in maintaining cell shape, enabling cell movement, and facilitating processes like cytokinesis during cell division.

Analyze the options provided in the question. Each option represents a cellular process: DNA replication, formation of the mitotic spindle, cleavage, and formation of the cell plate. Determine which of these processes relies on microfilaments.

Recall that DNA replication occurs in the nucleus and is primarily dependent on enzymes like DNA polymerase, not microfilaments. Therefore, cytochalasin B would not interfere with DNA replication.

Consider the formation of the mitotic spindle. The mitotic spindle is composed of microtubules, not microfilaments. Cytochalasin B disrupts microfilaments, so it would not interfere with spindle formation.

Evaluate cleavage and formation of the cell plate. Cleavage (cytokinesis in animal cells) involves the contractile ring, which is made of actin microfilaments. Formation of the cell plate (cytokinesis in plant cells) involves vesicle fusion and is not directly dependent on microfilaments. Therefore, cytochalasin B would interfere with cleavage.

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Key Concepts

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

Microfilaments

Microfilaments are thin, thread-like structures made of actin that are part of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells. They play crucial roles in maintaining cell shape, enabling cell movement, and facilitating cell division. Disruption of microfilament formation can significantly affect cellular processes, particularly those involving changes in cell shape and motility.

Cytokinesis

Cytokinesis is the process during cell division where the cytoplasm of a parental cell is divided into two daughter cells. In animal cells, this involves the formation of a cleavage furrow, which is driven by the contraction of microfilaments. Disruption of microfilament formation by Cytochalasin B would hinder this process, preventing proper cell division.

Cell Plate Formation

In plant cells, cell plate formation is a critical step during cytokinesis, where vesicles containing cell wall materials fuse at the center of the dividing cell to form a new cell wall. This process is also dependent on the cytoskeleton, including microfilaments, to guide the vesicles to the correct location. Disruption of microfilament formation would impair the ability to form a cell plate, affecting plant cell division.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

The decline of MPF activity at the end of mitosis is due to

a. The destruction of the protein kinase Cdk

b. Decreased synthesis of Cdk

c. The degradation of cyclin

d. The accumulation of cyclin

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Textbook Question

Which of the following occurs during apoptosis?

a. Lysis of the cell

b. Direct contact between signaling cells

c. Fragmentation of the DNA

d. Release of proteases outside the cell

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Textbook Question

Apoptosis involves all but which of the following?

a. Fragmentation of the DNA

b. Cell-signaling pathways

c. Lysis of the cell

d. Digestion of cellular contents by scavenger cells

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Textbook Question

In the cells of some organisms, mitosis occurs without cytokinesis. This will result in

a. Cells with more than one nucleus

b. Cells that are unusually small

c. Cells lacking nuclei

d. Cell cycles lacking an S phase

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Textbook Question

Discuss the factors that control the division of eukaryotic cells grown in the laboratory. Cancer cells are easier to grow in the lab than other cells.

Why do you suppose this is?

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Multiple Choice

What is the primary purpose of checkpoints in the cell cycle?

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Multiple Choice

What is the primary purpose of a checkpoint in the cell cycle?

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Multiple Choice