Cell Cycle and Cell Division: Class 11 Biology Q&A
12 free answers on Cell Cycle and Cell Division (Biology) for Class 11 students, across CBSE, ICSE and State boards. Includes questions such as “what is interphase?”, “what is Cytokinesis?”, “What is mitosis and meiosis?”
Question & Answer
Questions
- BiologyClass 11All
what is interphase?
Interphase is a significant stage in the cell cycle during which a cell prepares for cell division. It is the longest phase of the cell cycle and is not a part of the actual cell division process (mitosis or meiosis). Instead, interphase is a period of cell growth, metabolic activity, and preparation for the upcoming cell division. Interphase can be further divided into three sub-stages: G1 Phase (Gap 1): The cell undergoes rapid growth and m
- BiologyClass 11All
what is Cytokinesis?
Cytokinesis is the process in the cell cycle during which the cytoplasm of a parental cell is divided into two daughter cells. It is the final stage of cell division, following the processes of mitosis (in eukaryotic cells) or meiosis. While mitosis and meiosis are responsible for the division of the nucleus, cytokinesis specifically involves the division of the cellular cytoplasm and other organelles. Key points about cytokinesis include: Timing: Cytok
- BiologyClass 11All
What is mitosis and meiosis?
Mitosis and meiosis are two distinct types of cell division that serve different biological purposes in eukaryotic organisms. Mitosis is the process by which a single cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells, each containing the same number and type of chromosomes as the parent cell. This form of division is essential for growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction. When you heal a cut, grow taller, or replace old skin cells, mitosis is responsible for generating t
- BiologyClass 11All
What is meiosis?
Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that produces reproductive cells (gametes)—sperm in males and eggs in females—containing half the genetic material of normal body cells. This reduction division is essential for sexual reproduction because it ensures that when a sperm fertilizes an egg, the resulting offspring has the correct number of chromosomes rather than double the amount. In humans, for example, body cells contain 46 chromosomes (23 pairs), but through meiosis,
- BiologyClass 11All
What is cytoplasmic streaming? Give an example of a plant where cytoplasmic streaming can be observed.
Cytoplasmic streaming (also called cyclosis) is the continuous, automatic movement of cytoplasm within living cells. This vital process: Facilitates distribution of nutrients, organelles, and metabolites Enhances intracellular transport Requires energy from ATP and involves motor proteins (myosin) interacting with actin filaments
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What happens to the somatic cell if its surface area to volume ratio decreases?
When the surface area-to-volume ratio decreases (cell becomes too large), the cell undergoes mitosis to restore optimal size and maintain efficient nutrient/waste exchange. Explanation: Larger cells have insufficient surface area for diffusion Cell division maintains nucleocytoplasmic ratio Critical for cellular homeostasis
- BiologyClass 11All
Define cell plate.
The cell plate is a precursor structure formed during plant cytokinesis that develops into the middle lamella separating two daughter cells. Explanation: Composed of pectin and cellulose Delivered by Golgi vesicles Grows centrifugally to meet parental cell walls
- BiologyClass 11All
What are the four major stages of karyokinesis?
Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase Explanation: Stage Key Events Prophase Chromatin condensation, nuclear envelope breakdown Metaphase
- BiologyClass 11All
What is M phase? Which two processes are involved during M phase?
M phase (Mitotic phase) is the stage where actual cell division occurs. It consists of: Karyokinesis – Division of the nucleus Cytokinesis – Division of the cytoplasm Explanation: Karyokinesis includes prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase Cytokinesis physically separates two daughter cells M phase acco
- BiologyClass 11All
Differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells on the basis of: (a) Nucleus (b) Membrane-bound organelles (c) Nucleolus (d) Ribosomes (e) Plasmids
[Comprehensive table previously provided in question 22 - Section A] Additional distinctions: Feature Prokaryotic Eukaryotic Cell division Binary fission, budding M
- BiologyClass 11All
Give three differences between cilia and flagella.
[Comprehensive table previously provided in question 44] Brief comparison: Feature Cilia Flagella Number 300–14,000 per cell 1–4 per cell </tr
- BiologyClass 11All
How are chromosomes formed from chromatin?
Chromatin condensation process: Interphase chromatin: Extended, loosely packed Composition: DNA + histone proteins (H1, H2A, H2B, H3, H4) + non-histone proteins + RNA Nucleosome formation: DNA (147 bp) wraps around histone octamer (2 copies each of H2A, H2B, H3, H4) "Beads-on-string" structu