A researcher applies a drug that interferes with polymerization and depolymerization of microtubules. What would you predict about the cell’s ability to go through cell division?
A.
The cell division process would not be affected.
B.
Cell division would be slower, but would occur.
C.
Cell division would be prevented.
D.
Cell division would occur more rapidly.
To predict the effect of a drug that interferes with polymerization and depolymerization of microtubules on cell division, we need to understand the role of microtubules in the process.
Microtubules are structural components of the cell's cytoskeleton and play a vital role in cell division, specifically in the formation and organization of the spindle apparatus. The spindle apparatus helps separate the replicated chromosomes and ensure their proper distribution to daughter cells during both mitosis (division of somatic cells) and meiosis (division of germ cells).
Knowing this, let's analyze the options:
A. The cell division process would not be affected.
This is unlikely because microtubules are directly involved in cell division. Therefore, interfering with their polymerization and depolymerization would likely have an impact.
B. Cell division would be slower, but would occur.
This option suggests that there would be an effect on cell division, causing it to slow down. It acknowledges that the process would still occur, although at a slower rate. This could be a possible outcome if microtubule function is compromised.
C. Cell division would be prevented.
This option suggests that interfering with microtubule polymerization and depolymerization would completely prevent cell division. This may be a likely outcome because microtubules are essential for the proper segregation of chromosomes during cell division.
D. Cell division would occur more rapidly.
This option is unlikely because interfering with microtubule polymerization and depolymerization would likely disrupt the normal process of cell division, rather than speeding it up.
Based on this analysis, the most reasonable prediction would be:
C. Cell division would be prevented.