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Cell Cycle and Cell Division — NEET Biology MCQs with Solutions
Free NEET Biology Cell Cycle and Cell Division MCQs with step-by-step solutions covering Cell Cycle & Interphase, Mitosis (M Phase), Significance of Mitosis, Meiosis I, Meiosis II & Significance. Practise online on Prepizo — no login needed.
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Sample questions with solutions
Q1 — Cell Cycle & Interphase · easy · theory
DNA replication (synthesis) occurs during which phase of interphase?
A. G2 phase
B. M phase
C. S phase ✓ Correct
D. G1 phase
Solution: In the S (synthesis) phase DNA is replicated, doubling the DNA content (2C → 4C) while chromosome number stays the same.
Q2 — Cell Cycle & Interphase · easy · theory
The longest phase of the cell cycle, during which the cell prepares for division, is:
A. Interphase ✓ Correct
B. Cytokinesis
C. Prophase
D. Metaphase
Solution: Interphase (G1, S, G2) occupies most of the cycle; the actual M phase is comparatively short.
Q3 — Mitosis (M Phase) · easy · theory
Chromosomes align at the equatorial plate (metaphase plate) during:
A. Prophase
B. Telophase
C. Metaphase ✓ Correct
D. Anaphase
Solution: In metaphase the condensed chromosomes line up at the equator, attached to spindle fibres by kinetochores.
Q4 — Mitosis (M Phase) · easy · theory
Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles during:
A. Telophase
B. Prophase
C. Metaphase
D. Anaphase ✓ Correct
Solution: In anaphase the centromeres split and sister chromatids (now daughter chromosomes) are pulled to the poles.
Q5 — Significance of Mitosis · easy · theory
Mitosis is also called ______ division because the daughter cells have the same chromosome number as the parent:
A. Equational ✓ Correct
B. Meiotic
C. Amitotic
D. Reductional
Solution: Mitosis is equational — chromosome number is conserved (2n → 2n).
Q6 — Significance of Mitosis · easy · theory
In multicellular organisms, mitosis is essential for:
A. Formation of gametes
B. Genetic recombination
C. Reduction of chromosome number
D. Growth and repair (replacement of cells) ✓ Correct
Solution: Mitosis produces genetically identical cells for growth, repair and, in some organisms, asexual reproduction.
Q7 — Meiosis I · easy · theory
Pairing of homologous chromosomes (synapsis) to form bivalents occurs during:
A. Prophase II
B. Prophase I (zygotene) ✓ Correct
C. Anaphase I
D. Metaphase I
Solution: Homologous chromosomes pair (synapsis) during zygotene of prophase I, forming bivalents/tetrads.
Q8 — Meiosis I · easy · theory
Crossing over — exchange of segments between non-sister chromatids — takes place during the ______ substage of prophase I:
A. Diplotene
B. Pachytene ✓ Correct
C. Leptotene
D. Diakinesis
Solution: Crossing over (recombination) occurs at pachytene, mediated by the recombination nodules on the synaptonemal complex.
Q9 — Meiosis II & Significance · easy · theory
Meiosis II is similar to mitosis in that it involves the separation of:
A. Homologous chromosomes
B. Whole bivalents
C. Nucleoli
D. Sister chromatids ✓ Correct
Solution: Meiosis II is equational — sister chromatids separate, like in mitosis, but starting from haploid cells.
Q10 — Meiosis II & Significance · easy · theory
The total number of haploid cells produced at the end of meiosis (I + II) from one cell is:
A. Two
B. Eight
C. One
D. Four ✓ Correct
Solution: Meiosis yields four haploid daughter cells from a single diploid parent cell.
Q11 — Cell Cycle & Interphase · easy · numerical
In a typical human cell dividing once in approximately 24 hours, roughly how long does the M phase (mitosis) last compared with interphase?
A. M phase occupies about 9 hours, the same as the S phase
B. M phase and interphase are of nearly equal duration, about 12 hours each
C. M phase lasts about 19 hours while interphase is completed in a few minutes
D. M phase lasts only about an hour, while interphase occupies more than 95% of the cycle ✓ Correct
Solution: In a 24-hour human cell cycle, cell division (M phase) lasts only about an hour, while interphase accounts for more than 95% of the duration.
Q12 — Cell Cycle & Interphase · easy · numerical
Which of the following correctly gives the approximate durations of the interphase sub-phases in a 24-hour human cell cycle?
A. G1 ~ 8 h, S ~ 1 h, G2 ~ 14 h
B. G1 ~ 11 h, S ~ 8 h, G2 ~ 4 h ✓ Correct
C. G1 ~ 2 h, S ~ 19 h, G2 ~ 2 h
D. G1 ~ 4 h, S ~ 4 h, G2 ~ 15 h
Solution: Of the ~23 hours of interphase, G1 is the longest (~11 h), S phase ~8 h and G2 ~4 h, with M phase taking about 1 h.
Q13 — Cell Cycle & Interphase · easy · numerical
Cells such as mature neurons that have exited the cell cycle and no longer divide are said to be arrested in the G0 stage. Which statement about G0 is correct?
A. G0 cells contain 4C DNA and are poised to enter mitosis immediately
B. G0 cells are metabolically inactive and have their DNA already replicated
C. G0 cells are permanently in S phase, continuously replicating DNA without dividing
D. G0 cells are metabolically active but do not proliferate, having withdrawn from the cycle at G1 ✓ Correct
Solution: The quiescent G0 stage is entered from G1; such cells remain metabolically active and functional but stop dividing, and their DNA is unreplicated (2C).
Q14 — Cell Cycle & Interphase · easy · numerical
In which broad stage of the cell cycle does the cell spend most of its time, growing and duplicating its DNA and organelles in preparation for division?
A. Cytokinesis
B. Anaphase
C. Interphase ✓ Correct
D. Prophase
Solution: Interphase, the phase between two successive M phases, is where the cell grows and replicates its DNA; it occupies the great majority of the cycle.
Q15 — Mitosis (M Phase) · easy · numerical
During which mitotic phase do the daughter chromosomes (each now a single chromatid) reach the opposite poles and begin to cluster, with the spindle fibres disappearing and the nuclear envelope reforming?
A. Anaphase
B. Metaphase
C. Telophase ✓ Correct
D. Prophase
Solution: In telophase the chromosomes reach the poles, decondense, the spindle disappears and nuclear envelopes reassemble around each set, forming two nuclei.
Q16 — Mitosis (M Phase) · easy · numerical
At which stage of mitosis is the chromosome most condensed and clearly seen as two sister chromatids joined at the centromere, arranged at the equator of the cell?
A. Late prophase
B. Metaphase ✓ Correct
C. Telophase
D. Early anaphase
Solution: Chromosomes are maximally condensed and most easily studied at metaphase, when each appears as two chromatids held at the centromere and aligned on the metaphase plate.
Q17 — Mitosis (M Phase) · easy · numerical
The event that specifically marks the beginning of anaphase in mitosis is:
A. Condensation of chromatin into visible chromosomes
B. Reappearance of the nucleolus and nuclear membrane
C. Alignment of all chromosomes at the equatorial plate
D. Splitting of the centromeres so that the two sister chromatids of each chromosome separate ✓ Correct
Solution: Anaphase begins with the simultaneous splitting of centromeres, converting sister chromatids into independent daughter chromosomes that move to opposite poles.
Q18 — Mitosis (M Phase) · easy · numerical
In which type of cell does cytokinesis occur by the formation of a cell plate that grows outward from the centre towards the wall?
A. Plant cell ✓ Correct
B. Bacterial cell
C. Human red blood cell
D. Animal cell
Solution: Plant cells, having a rigid wall, divide by forming a cell plate from the centre outward (cell-plate formation), whereas animal cells constrict inward by a cleavage furrow.
Q19 — Significance of Mitosis · easy · numerical
Mitosis produces two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. This makes mitosis essential for which of the following?
A. Recombination of alleles through crossing over
B. Growth and repair of tissues while maintaining a constant chromosome number ✓ Correct
C. Halving the chromosome number for gamete formation
D. Generation of genetic variation among offspring
Solution: Because mitosis is equational and produces genetically identical cells, it underlies growth, tissue repair and cell replacement while keeping the chromosome number constant.
Q20 — Significance of Mitosis · easy · numerical
In animals, worn-out cells of the epidermis and the lining of the gut are continually replaced. This replacement depends on:
A. Binary fission of nucleated cells without DNA replication
B. Fusion of two somatic cells to regenerate tissue
C. Mitotic divisions in the actively dividing (meristematic-equivalent) cell populations ✓ Correct
D. Meiotic divisions producing haploid replacement cells
Solution: Continuous replacement of surface and lining cells is achieved by mitosis, which produces identical diploid cells to replace those lost.
Q21 — Significance of Mitosis · easy · numerical
In plants, mitosis that continues throughout life is largely confined to which regions?
A. The mature cortical cells
B. The vessel elements of xylem
C. The apical and lateral meristems ✓ Correct
D. The guard cells of stomata
Solution: Plant growth continues through life because meristematic tissues (apical and lateral meristems) keep dividing by mitosis.
Q22 — Significance of Mitosis · easy · numerical
A key significance of mitosis is the restoration of the nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio. This is achieved because a cell that has grown too large:
A. Divides so that each daughter regains a balanced ratio of nuclear material to cytoplasm ✓ Correct
B. Stops all metabolic activity until it shrinks
C. Doubles its nucleus without dividing the cytoplasm
D. Reduces its chromosome number to balance the cytoplasm
Solution: As a cell grows, its cytoplasm increases relative to the nucleus; mitosis restores a favourable nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio by producing smaller daughter cells.
Q23 — Meiosis I · easy · numerical
Meiosis I is described as a reductional division because at its completion:
A. The two daughter cells receive identical sets of homologous chromosomes
B. The sister chromatids of each chromosome are separated equally
C. The chromosome number is reduced from diploid to haploid as homologous chromosomes are separated ✓ Correct
D. The DNA content doubles while the chromosome number stays the same
Solution: In meiosis I homologous chromosomes (not sister chromatids) separate, halving the chromosome number from 2n to n; hence it is reductional.
Q24 — Meiosis I · easy · numerical
During which substage of prophase I does the synaptonemal complex form fully as homologous chromosomes complete their pairing?
A. Diakinesis
B. Zygotene ✓ Correct
C. Diplotene
D. Leptotene
Solution: Synapsis (pairing of homologues) occurs in zygotene, accompanied by the formation of the synaptonemal complex between the paired chromosomes.
Q25 — Meiosis I · easy · numerical
A pair of synapsed homologous chromosomes, each consisting of two sister chromatids, is collectively called a:
A. Kinetochore
B. Chiasma
C. Centromere
D. Bivalent (tetrad) ✓ Correct
Solution: The paired homologous chromosomes form a bivalent, which contains four chromatids and is therefore also called a tetrad.
Q26 — Meiosis I · easy · numerical
The actual exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes during crossing over is mediated by enzymes and takes place at structures called:
A. Kinetochores
B. Cleavage furrows
C. Cell plates
D. Recombination nodules ✓ Correct
Solution: Crossing over occurs at recombination nodules on the synaptonemal complex, where recombining enzymes catalyse exchange between non-sister chromatids during pachytene.
Q27 — Meiosis II & Significance · easy · numerical
Meiosis II is often called an equational division because during it:
A. DNA replication occurs once more before the chromatids divide
B. Sister chromatids separate at the centromere, keeping the chromosome number the same in the products ✓ Correct
C. Homologous chromosomes separate, halving the chromosome number again
D. The chromosome number is doubled to restore the diploid state
Solution: Meiosis II resembles mitosis: centromeres split and sister chromatids separate, so the chromosome number of the haploid cells is maintained (equational).
Q28 — Meiosis II & Significance · easy · numerical
Between meiosis I and meiosis II there is a short interphase (interkinesis). A crucial feature of interkinesis is that:
A. DNA replication occurs, doubling the chromosome number
B. DNA replication (S phase) does NOT occur during it ✓ Correct
C. Homologous chromosomes pair again to form new bivalents
D. Crossing over is repeated between sister chromatids
Solution: Interkinesis is generally short and lacks an S phase, so no DNA replication occurs between the two meiotic divisions.
Q29 — Meiosis II & Significance · easy · numerical
A single diploid cell undergoing complete meiosis (I and II) gives rise to how many haploid cells?
A. Four diploid cells
B. Four haploid cells ✓ Correct
C. Two diploid cells
D. Two haploid cells
Solution: Meiosis I produces two haploid cells and meiosis II divides each of these, yielding a total of four haploid cells from one diploid cell.
Q30 — Meiosis II & Significance · easy · numerical
The primary significance of meiosis in sexually reproducing organisms is that it:
A. Produces genetically identical daughter cells for growth
B. Doubles the chromosome number in every generation
C. Halves the chromosome number so that fertilisation restores the diploid number in the offspring ✓ Correct
D. Replaces worn-out somatic cells during tissue repair
Solution: Meiosis halves the chromosome number to form haploid gametes; fusion of two gametes at fertilisation then restores the species-specific diploid number, keeping it constant across generations.