Cell Cycle And Cell Division MCQ
By Maitree Choube
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Updated on 16 Apr 2025, 14:55 IST
Cell Cycle And Cell Division MCQ: Build your concepts by practicing Cell Cycle and Cell Division MCQs — a key topic that carries around 9% weightage in the NEET Biology syllabus.
Cell Cycle and Cell Division is a vital topic in the NEET Biology syllabus and plays a key role in understanding how living organisms grow, repair, and reproduce. This chapter holds around 9% weightage in NEET, making it an important area for students aiming to boost their scores. A strong grasp of the cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis, and cytokinesis helps clarify how cells function and pass genetic information from one generation to the next.
To prepare well for this chapter, students should carefully study Cell Cycle and Cell Division NEET notes and solve previous years' NEET questions to strengthen their concepts and improve exam performance.
Cell Cycle And Cell Division
The topic of Cell Cycle and Cell Division is an essential part of biology, especially for students preparing for competitive exams like NEET. This chapter explains how cells grow, replicate, and divide to form new cells — a process that supports life, growth, and reproduction in all living organisms.
To make learning easier, we’ve covered important subtopics like phases of the cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis, cytokinesis, and their differences through multiple-choice questions. Practicing these Cell Cycle and Cell Division MCQs will help you strengthen your concepts and boost your confidence for exams. For easy revision, we’ve also provided a Cell Cycle and Cell Division MCQ PDF, so you can download and practice anytime.
Cell Cycle And Cell Division MCQ NEET Biology
- During which phase of the cell cycle does the cell prepare for DNA replication by synthesizing proteins and enzymes required for DNA synthesis?
A) G₀ phase
B) G₁ phase
C) S phase
D) G₂ phase
Answer: B) G₁ phase
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- Which checkpoint ensures that all chromosomes are properly attached to the spindle fibers before progressing to anaphase?
A) G₁ checkpoint
B) G₂ checkpoint
C) M checkpoint
D) S checkpoint
Answer: C) M checkpoint
- In which phase of meiosis do homologous chromosomes undergo crossing over?
A) Prophase I
B) Metaphase I
C) Anaphase I
D) Telophase I
Answer: A) Prophase I
- What is the ploidy of daughter cells produced after meiosis II?
A) Diploid
B) Haploid
C) Tetraploid
D) Triploid
Answer: B) Haploid
- Which structure is responsible for organizing the mitotic spindle in animal cells?
A) Centriole
B) Chromatin
C) Nucleolus
D) Kinetochore
Answer: A) Centriole
- During which phase of mitosis do sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles?
A) Prophase
B) Metaphase
C) Anaphase
D) Telophase
Answer: C) Anaphase
- Which phase of the cell cycle is characterized by the synthesis of DNA?
A) G₁ phase
B) S phase
C) G₂ phase
D) M phase
Answer: B) S phase
- What is the term for the division of the cytoplasm during cell division?
A) Karyokinesis
B) Cytokinesis
C) Metaphase
D) Anaphase
Answer: B) Cytokinesis
- Which of the following is true about cells in the G₀ phase?
A) They are actively dividing
B) They are preparing for DNA replication
C) They have exited the cell cycle
D) They are undergoing apoptosis
Answer: C) They have exited the cell cycle
- In plant cells, what structure forms during cytokinesis to separate the two daughter cells?
A) Cleavage furrow
B) Cell plate
C) Spindle fiber
D) Centriole
Answer: B) Cell plate
- Which enzyme is primarily responsible for unwinding DNA during replication?
A) DNA ligase
B) DNA polymerase
C) Helicase
D) Topoisomerase
Answer: C) Helicase
- What is the role of the kinetochore during cell division?
A) Synthesizes DNA
B) Attaches chromosomes to spindle fibers
C) Forms the nuclear envelope
D) Replicates centrioles
Answer: B) Attaches chromosomes to spindle fibers
- Which phase of meiosis is characterized by the alignment of homologous chromosomes at the metaphase plate?
A) Metaphase I
B) Metaphase II
C) Anaphase I
D) Anaphase II
Answer: A) Metaphase I
- During which phase of the cell cycle does the cell increase in size and synthesize proteins necessary for mitosis?
A) G₁ phase
B) S phase
C) G₂ phase
D) M phase
Answer: C) G₂ phase
- Which of the following events occurs during prophase of mitosis?
A) Chromosomes align at the equator
B) Nuclear envelope re-forms
C) Chromatin condenses into chromosomes
D) Sister chromatids separate
Answer: C) Chromatin condenses into chromosomes
- What is the significance of crossing over during meiosis?
A) Increases chromosome number
B) Produces identical daughter cells
C) Enhances genetic variation
D) Ensures DNA replication
Answer: C) Enhances genetic variation
- Which structure is absent in plant cells but present in animal cells, aiding in cell division?
A) Cell wall
B) Centriole
C) Nucleus
D) Mitochondria
Answer: B) Centriole
- In which phase of mitosis does the nuclear envelope break down?
A) Prophase
B) Metaphase
C) Anaphase
D) Telophase
Answer: A) Prophase
- What is the result of uncontrolled cell division?
A) Tissue repair
B) Cancer
C) Apoptosis
D) Differentiation
Answer: B) Cancer
- Which phase of meiosis results in the separation of sister chromatids?
A) Anaphase I
B) Anaphase II
C) Metaphase I
D) Metaphase II
Answer: B) Anaphase II
- Which protein complex regulates the progression of cells through the cell cycle?
A) Cyclin-CDK complex
B) DNA polymerase
C) RNA polymerase
D) Ribosome
Answer: A) Cyclin-CDK complex
- What is the function of telomerase in cell division?
A) Initiates DNA replication
B) Repairs DNA damage
C) Maintains chromosome length
D) Synthesizes RNA primers
Answer: C) Maintains chromosome length
- Which phase of the cell cycle is the longest in duration?
A) G₁ phase
B) S phase
C) G₂ phase
D) M phase
Answer: A) G₁ phase
- What is the term for programmed cell death?
A) Necrosis
B) Apoptosis
C) Lysis
D) Autophagy
Answer: B) Apoptosis
- Which of the following is not a phase of mitosis?
A) Prophase
B) Metaphase
C) Cytokinesis
D) Anaphase
Answer: C) Cytokinesis
- During which phase of meiosis do homologous chromosomes separate?
A) Anaphase I
B) Anaphase II
C) Metaphase I
D) Metaphase II
Answer: A) Anaphase I
- Which checkpoint verifies DNA replication before mitosis begins?
A) G₁ checkpoint
B) G₂ checkpoint
C) M checkpoint
D) S checkpoint
Answer: B) G₂ checkpoint
- Which phase of the cell cycle directly follows DNA replication?
A) G₁ phase
B) G₂ phase
C) M phase
D) Cytokinesis
Answer: B) G₂ phase
- Which event does NOT occur during interphase?
A) DNA replication
B) Chromosome condensation
C) Cell growth
D) Organelle duplication
Answer: B) Chromosome condensation
- Which feature makes meiosis important for evolution?
A) Produces identical cells
B) Maintains constant chromosome number across generations
C) Allows crossing-over and genetic recombination
D) Prevents cell division errors
Answer: C) Allows crossing-over and genetic recombination
Cell Cycle and Cell Division MCQ with Answers
Q1. During which phase of meiosis I does the process of genetic material exchange, known as crossing-over, begin?
A) Zygotene
B) Diplotene
C) Pachytene
D) Diakinesis
Correct Answer: C) Pachytene
Explanation: Crossing-over, which leads to genetic recombination and variation, starts during the pachytene stage of prophase I in meiosis when homologous chromosomes exchange segments.
Q2. When a cell remains metabolically active but does not prepare for division, it is said to be in which phase?
A) G1 phase
B) G2 phase
C) S phase
D) G0 phase
Correct Answer: D) G0 phase
Explanation: In the G0 phase, the cell exits the active cycle and no longer prepares to divide. However, it remains metabolically active and functional until it either re-enters the cycle or stays dormant.
Q3. If a cell at metaphase contains 40 chromosomes, how many chromosomes will be found in each daughter cell after mitosis is complete?
A) 80
B) 20
C) 40
D) 10
Correct Answer: C) 40
Explanation: In mitosis, the chromosome number remains the same. So if the parent cell has 40 chromosomes at metaphase, each daughter cell will receive 40 chromosomes after division.
Q4. Assertion (A): Cytokinesis occurs at the end of mitosis, ensuring the division of cytoplasm.
Reason (R): Cytokinesis guarantees equal distribution of chromosomes.
A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C) A is true, R is false.
D) A is false, R is true.
Correct Answer: C) A is true, R is false.
Explanation: Cytokinesis divides the cytoplasm between two daughter cells but does not control chromosome distribution — that is the job of mitosis itself.
Q5. In which cell cycle phase does the cell commit to division by preparing necessary DNA and protein structures?
A) G1 phase
B) S phase
C) G2 phase
D) M phase
Correct Answer: B) S phase
Explanation: The S phase is the part of interphase where the cell duplicates its DNA, ensuring that each daughter cell gets an exact copy during division.
Q6. What is the key difference between metaphase I of meiosis and metaphase of mitosis?
A) Chromosomes pair up in meiosis but not in mitosis.
B) Chromosomes do not attach to spindle fibers in meiosis.
C) DNA does not replicate before meiosis.
D) Mitosis results in four cells; meiosis in two.
Correct Answer: A) Chromosomes pair up in meiosis but not in mitosis.
Explanation: In metaphase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes align in pairs at the equator, while in mitosis, single chromosomes align independently.
Q7. Which event ensures that daughter cells formed after meiosis are genetically different from the parent cell?
A) Cytokinesis
B) DNA replication
C) Crossing-over
D) Cleavage furrow formation
Correct Answer: C) Crossing-over
Explanation: Crossing-over during prophase I shuffles genetic material between homologous chromosomes, ensuring genetic diversity in the resulting gametes.
Q8. A cell in which phase has the highest DNA content?
A) G1 phase
B) S phase
C) G2 phase
D) M phase
Correct Answer: C) G2 phase
Explanation: By G2, DNA replication is complete, meaning the cell has double the DNA content compared to its G1 phase, just before entering mitosis.
Q9. During which stage of meiosis does reduction in chromosome number actually occur?
A) Prophase I
B) Metaphase I
C) Anaphase I
D) Telophase II
Correct Answer: C) Anaphase I
Explanation: At anaphase I, homologous chromosomes are separated, reducing the chromosome number by half, which is the defining feature of meiosis.
Q10. In plant cells, the rigid cell wall prevents furrow formation during cytokinesis. What structure solves this problem?
A) Cleavage furrow
B) Cell plate
C) Microtubules
D) Spindle fiber
Correct Answer: B) Cell plate
Explanation: In plant cells, a cell plate forms during cytokinesis instead of a cleavage furrow. This plate develops into a new cell wall, separating the daughter cells.
Cell Cycle And Cell Division MCQ - FAQs
Why are Cell Cycle and Cell Division MCQs important for NEET preparation?
Cell Cycle and Cell Division MCQs help students test their knowledge of a key biology chapter that carries significant weight in NEET exams. Practicing these questions sharpens understanding of concepts like mitosis, meiosis, and cytokinesis, and improves both speed and accuracy for competitive tests.
What topics are usually covered in Cell Cycle and Cell Division MCQ practice sets?
Most Cell Cycle and Cell Division MCQs cover important topics like the phases of the cell cycle, checkpoints, mitosis, meiosis, differences between the two, cytokinesis, and cell regulation. These questions help students learn how cells grow, divide, and pass genetic material in both plants and animals
What are the 4 stages of the cell cycle?
The 4 main stages of the cell cycle are:
G₁ Phase (Gap 1) – Cell grows and makes proteins.
S Phase (Synthesis) – DNA is copied.
G₂ Phase (Gap 2) – Cell prepares for division.
M Phase (Mitosis) – The cell divides into two new cells.
What is the cell cycle and cell division?
The cell cycle is the complete sequence of growth and division a cell goes through, while cell division is the final step where one cell splits to form new daughter cells.
What is the process of cell cycle and cell division?
In the cell cycle, a cell grows, copies its DNA, prepares for division, and finally divides through mitosis or meiosis to form new cells, helping with growth, repair, and reproduction.
What is the cell cycle?
The cell cycle is the life journey of a cell — from its birth, growth, DNA copying, and finally dividing into new cells to keep tissues healthy and living things growing.