A biologist measured the amount of DNA in several single diploid cells taken from a culture. He knew that these cells could divide mitotically, but not meiotically. His data is shown below: Cell Number and DNA content in micrograms: Cell 1 (11.1 micrograms) Cell 2 (5.4 micrograms) Cell 3 (7.3 micrograms) Cell 4 ( 10.9 micrograms) Cell 5 (5.6 micrograms) Cell 6 (8.6 micrograms) Cell 7 (11.0 micrograms) Which of these cells have most likely just completed mitosis and cytokinesis? a. 1, 4, and 7 b. 3 and 6 c. 2, 3, 5, and 6 d. 2 and 5 e. No conclusion can be drawn from the data provided.
During interphase, the DNA content is doubled. After cytokinesis, the DNA content is cut in half for the daughter cells. Therefore, I would rule out cells 1, 4, and 7. After cytokinesis, the cells should have half the DNA content as the mother cell, which leaves cells 2 and 5. Cells 3, and 6 have slightly more then half, but not double the amount. I am not sure, but you can conclude that these cells are undergoing the initial parts of interphase, but they have not completed it. Therefore, answer choice d seems to be the best answer.
I am not 100% sure, but this would be my choice.
Best
To determine which cells have most likely just completed mitosis and cytokinesis, we need to analyze the data provided. During mitosis and cytokinesis, the DNA content is divided equally between the two daughter cells. Hence, the cells that have similar DNA content could indicate that they have recently undergone mitosis and cytokinesis.
Let's compare the DNA content of the cells:
Cell 1: 11.1 micrograms
Cell 2: 5.4 micrograms
Cell 3: 7.3 micrograms
Cell 4: 10.9 micrograms
Cell 5: 5.6 micrograms
Cell 6: 8.6 micrograms
Cell 7: 11.0 micrograms
From the data, we can see that Cell 2 and Cell 5 have the most similar DNA content. They both have DNA content in the range of 5-6 micrograms. This indicates that Cell 2 and Cell 5 have likely just completed mitosis and cytokinesis.
Therefore, the correct answer would be d. 2 and 5.