Question 6
When a eukaryotic cell undergoes cellular division, creating two new daughter cells - an error (nondisjunction) in the step shown BELOW can impact the number of chromosomes in the daughter cells' nuclei.
Anaphase I - Definition, Process and Quiz | Biology Dictionary
What is this step?
a
Telophase in meiosis
b
Prophase in endocytosis
c
Metaphase in mitosis
d
Anaphase in mitosis
The step in question is "Anaphase in mitosis", which is option d.
To understand why an error in anaphase can impact the number of chromosomes in the daughter cells' nuclei, let's break down the process of mitosis and its different stages.
Mitosis is the process by which a eukaryotic cell replicates its DNA and divides into two daughter cells. It consists of several stages, including prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
In anaphase, the third stage of mitosis, the replicated chromosomes, which consist of two identical sister chromatids, separate and move towards opposite ends of the cell. This separation ensures that the daughter cells receive the correct number of chromosomes.
However, nondisjunction can occur during anaphase if the sister chromatids fail to separate properly. This may result in one daughter cell receiving an extra copy of a chromosome, while the other daughter cell lacks that particular chromosome. As a result, the number of chromosomes in the daughter cells' nuclei will be affected, leading to an abnormal chromosome count.
Therefore, if there is an error in anaphase in mitosis, it can impact the number of chromosomes in the daughter cells' nuclei.