Question

Given below is a diagram representing a stage during mitotic cell division in an animal cell examine it carefully and answer the questions which follow. 

a) Identify the stage. Give one reason in support of your answer. 

b) Name the cell organelle that forms the ‘aster’ 

c) Name the parts labelled 1, 2 and 3. 

d) Name the stage that follows the one shown above, how is that stage identified? 

e) Mention two differences between mitosis and meiosis with regards to: 

(i) The number of daughter cells produced. The chromosome number in the daughter cells.

Answer 1

(a) Late prophase. Because the nuclear membrane and nucleolus have disappeared. 

(b) Centrioles 

(c) 1 – Centromere 

2 - Chromatids. 

3 - Spindle fibre. 

(d) Metaphase. The centromeres of chromosomes are drawn to the equator by equal pull of two chromosomal spindle fibres that connects each centromere to the opposite poles, forming a metaphasic plate.

(e)

Mitosis	Meiosis
(i) Two daughter cells are produced.	(i) Four daughter cells are produced.
(ii) It is equational division i.e. the number of chromosome in the daughter cells or parent cells remains the same	(ii) It is reductional division i.e. the number of chromosomes is reduced to half in the daughter cells.