Important Questions Class 11 Biology Chapter 10

Class 11 Biology Chapter 10 Important Questions: Cell Cycle and Cell Division

Biology is a study of life and all living beings. Class 11 Biology Chapter 10 introduces you to the processes of Cell Division and the Cell Cycle in cells, which are the most basic unit of life. Understanding the Cell Cycle and Cell Division process is critical and is a key fundamental concept in Biology. As we know already, there are innumerable living and nonliving organisms on earth; the cells are the building blocks of each living organism. As you thoroughly review our Extramarks NCERT Biology Class 11 notes, you will learn about cells, their microstructure, and the functions of each micro-organelle. Based on the number of cells present in the body, organisms are broadly classified into two groups- unicellular and multicellular organisms.

The questions in our question bank of Important Questions Class 11 Biology Chapter 10 majorly deal with the cells, and processes like cell division and cell cycle. Extramarks subject matter experts have curated the list of Biology Class 11 Chapter 10 Important Questions and their answers for students to refer and score well in exams. . These questions test the key concepts, and the vital points covered and are presented as the Important Questions Class 11 Biology Chapter 10. These key concepts give students a clear understanding of each topic they have learnt and help them retain it for a longer period of time. As a result of clear understanding and retaining a lot of content easily, students develop a very good command of the subject, and thus they score very well in their examinations.

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Get Access to Cell Cycle and Cell Division Class 11 important Questions & Answers for the Academic Year 2022-23.

Class 11 Biology Chapter-wise important questions are available for free to students, and these questions are perfect for self-study.

Check out CBSE Class 11 Biology Important Questions for other chapters as well:

CBSE Class 11 Biology Important Questions

Sr No. Chapters Chapters Name
1 Chapter 1 The Living World
2 Chapter 2 Biological Classification
3 Chapter 3 Plant Kingdom
4 Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom
5 Chapter 5 Morphology of Flowering Plants
6 Chapter 6 Anatomy of Flowering Plants
7 Chapter 7 Structural Organisation in Animals
8 Chapter 8 Cell the Unit of Life
9 Chapter 9 Biomolecules
10 Chapter 10 Cell Cycle and Cell Division
11 Chapter 11 Transport in Plants
12 Chapter 12 Mineral Nutrition
13 Chapter 13 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
14 Chapter 14 Respiration in Plants
15 Chapter 15 Plant Growth and Development
16 Chapter 16 Digestion and Absorption
17 Chapter 17 Breathing and Exchange of Gases
18 Chapter 18 Body Fluids and Circulation
19 Chapter 19 Excretory Products and their Elimination
20 Chapter 20 Locomotion and Movement
21 Chapter 21 Neural Control and Coordination
22 Chapter 22 Chemical Coordination and Integration

Class 11 Biology Chapter 10 Question Answers

The following are some of the questions and their solutions that have been picked from our question bank of Important Questions Class 11 Biology Chapter 10 to help the students to clear their doubts and strengthen their understanding of concepts, definitions, and practice diagrams to get a 100% score in exams.They ensure that all the chapters has been covered in detail and not a single topic has been left out in the process.

Question 1. Why is the process of Meiosis necessary in sexually reproducing organisms?

Answer 1.

The process of meiosis is necessary for sexually reproducing organisms because of the following reasons:

Firstly, it constantly maintains the number of chromosomes in the generation process, as Meiosis is also called reductional division.

Secondly, it causes variations among the progeny because crossing over occurs during Meiosis. This variation is important for evolution.

Question 2. Describe the importance of mitosis.

Answer 2- 

Mitosis is an important process because –

through the process of mitosis, genetic stability occurs.

It helps in the growth and development of multicellular organisms.

Many plants and animals multiply with mitosis, i.e., asexual reproduction occurs to regenerate the whole organism.

It helps regenerate the lost parts of an animal’s body by regenerating the new cells in place of dead and worn-out cells.

Question 3. What do you understand by the term cell reproduction?

Answer 3:

Cell reproduction: Reproduction is an essential phenomenon in the continuity of life. Rudolf Virchow discovered that new cells arise by the division of pre-existing cells.

Reproduction is mainly classified into two types:

Sexual reproduction

Asexual reproduction.

The growth and development of the living being depend on cell division. The single-celled zygotes, by the process of cell division, develop into an adult having many cells.

Question 4. What is the importance of chromosomal replication during the interphase? 

Answer 4. Interphase is a stage that occurs between successive cell divisions. It is considered the resting stage of the nucleus as it does not show any morphological changes. But physiologically, it is a very active stage in the life of a cell as the cell prepares itself for division and many biochemical changes occur during this stage.

Question 5. Name the stages of the cell cycle at which these events occur:

    1. Chromosomes are moved to the spindle equator.
    2. Centromere splits apart, and chromatids separate.
    3. Pairing between homologous chromosomes occurs.
    4. Crossing overtakes place between the homologous chromosomes.

Answer 5 

  1. Chromosomes move to the spindle equator in the Metaphase stage.
  2. Centrosomes split apart, and the chromatids separate in the Anaphase
  3. Pairing occurs between the homologous chromosomes in the Zygotene stage of prophase 1 in Meiosis
  4. Crossing over occurs between homologous chromosomes and takes place during the Pachytene stage of prophase 1 in Meiosis

Question 6. Is there mitosis without DNA replication in the ‘S’ phase, and can there be DNA replication without cell division? 

Answer 6:

No, without DNA replication, mitosis does not occur. Because during the S phase, DNA synthesis or replication of DNA takes place and DNA replication is essential for cell division.

Yes, DNA replication can take place without the cell division process. To prepare for cell division, DNA replication is necessary. Cell division is the next logical step that occurs post-cell division.

Question 7. Describe the different phases occurring in meiotic prophase – I. Also, mention the chromosomal events during each stage.

Answer 7-  

During the meiotic prophase – I, entities like genetic recombination and variation in sexually reproducing take place. Also, the chromosomal events during each stage are-

Leptotene stage-

In this stage, the chromosomes are long, thin and slender, where the chromatin network gets exposed and threads appear clear.

Also, it contains a diploid number of chromosomes.

Zygotene stage-

In this stage, the similar chromosomes turn intimately associated with the

Synapse. And as the synapses are exact, pairing occurs between the chromosomes and corresponding individual units.

These chromosomes appear thicker and shorter.

Pachynema Stage-

In this stage, the synaptic chromosomes become intimately related to each other. There are thick and short pairs of chromosomes crossed over one another, and the chiasmata are visible clearly.

Diplotene Stage-

The homologous chromosomes start detaching from each other and the

Chiasmata tend to shift away, resulting in the terminalization of chiasmata.

Also, the chromosomes detach and result in incomplete separation.

The nucleolus and nuclear membrane also start to fade.

Diakinesis

In this stage, the bivalents are distributed randomly after further condensation.

Also, the paired chromosomes separate, and the terminalisation of chiasmata is concluded with the disappearance of the nucleolus and nuclear membrane.

Question 8. Telophase is said to be the reverse of prophase. Describe the statement.

Answer 8-

The condensation of the chromosomal material initiates the prophase. During this process, chromatin condensation occurs, and the chromosomal material untangles.

Also, at the start of the final stage of mitosis, that is, the telophase phase, the chromosomes arrive at the respective poles and then de-condense and lose their individuality. When observed under a compound microscope, the cells at the end of the prophase stage do not show organelles like  golgi complexes, nucleolus, endoplasmic reticulum, and the nuclear envelope. The nuclear envelope then gathers around the chromosomes cluster at the telephone stage: the Golgi complex, ER, and nucleolus reform.

Question 9. Which tissue of plants and animals exhibits Meiosis?

Answer 9-

The process of Meiosis takes place only in the tissues that produce gametes. So, in animals, Meiosis occurs within the body’s reproductive cells or germ cells. This also includes the cells of the ovaries and testes. In plants, Meiosis occurs in the Androecium (male reproductive) and Gynoecium (female reproductive) parts of the plant.

Question 10. What cell type is captured in the diplotene phase for months or years? And how does it complete its cell cycle?

Answer 10-

The cells of oocytes of a few vertebrates can last for months or years in the diplotene stage.

The diplotene chromosome is present in a few animals, like oocytes of amphibians or frogs in the diplotene phase.

In the meiotic prophase, lampbrush chromosomes are noticed, and these chromosomes tend to turn normal after growth, thereby completing the cell cycle.

Question 11. Describe the following events that take place during interphase.

Answer 11:

Interphase involves a series of changes that occur during the preparation of a cell for division. It is said to be the period during which the cell experiences growth and DNA replication in a definite and orderly manner. Interphase is majorly divided into three phases.

(i) G1 phase

(ii) G2 phase

(iii) S phase

G1 phase: The G1 phase is the stage during which the cell grows and prepares the DNA for its replication. Also, in this phase, the cell becomes metabolically active.

S phase: S phase is the stage during which DNA synthesis occurs. In other words, during this phase, the amount of DNA doubles, but the number of chromosomes remains the same.

G2 phase: In the G2 phase, the cell continues to grow and prepares itself for division. The proteins and RNA required for mitosis are synthesised during this stage.

Question 12. What is the significance of Meiosis?

Answer 12- 

Meiosis is said to be a process involving a reduction in the amount of genetic material. It comprises two successive nuclear and cell divisions, with a single cycle of DNA replication. As a result, four haploid cells are generated at the end of Meiosis II.

The Significance of Meiosis-

  1. Meiosis maintains the constant chromosome number from generation to generation. It also reduces the chromosome number to half because the fertilisation process restores the original number in the zygote.
  2. Variations are caused by the cross-over of the daughter cells and the random distribution of homologous chromosomes between daughter cells. Variations also play an important role in evolution.
  3. The introduction of certain abnormalities generates chromosomal mutations. These chromosomal mutations generated may be advantageous for an individual.

Question 13. Analyse the following events during every stage of the cell cycle and notice the following two parameters- 

(i) Number of chromosomes changed per cell

(ii) Amount of DNA content (C) changed per cell

Answer 13

During the process of Meiosis, the number of chromosomes and the amount of DNA change are.

(i) Number of chromosomes (N) changed per cell

During the Anaphase I stage of the meiotic cycle, the homologous chromosomes separate and start moving toward their poles, respectively. As a result, the bivalent chromosomes get divided into two sister chromatids and receive half the chromosomes in the parent cell. Therefore, the number of chromosomes reduced in the meiotic cycle anaphase I.

(ii) Amount of DNA content (C) changed per cell

During the anaphase II stage of the meiotic cycle, the chromatids separate through the splitting of the centromere. It is said that the centromere holds together the sister chromatids present in each chromosome. By this, the chromatids move toward their respective poles. And at each pole, a haploid number of chromosomes with a haploid amount of DNA is present.

During the mitosis process, the number of chromosomes always remains the same. The DNA duplicated in the S phase gets separated and forms two daughter cells during the anaphase stage. Through this result, the DNA content (C) of the two newly formed daughter cells remains the same.

Question 14. What is the definition of the cell cycle?

Answer 14. The cell cycle, also called the cell-division cycle, is the series of events that occur in a cell and subsequently cause it to divide into two daughter cells.

Question 15. How does the cell cycle work?

Answer 15.  A cell cycle is a series of events in a cell as it grows and divides. A cell spends most of its time in what is called interphase; during this time, it grows, replicates its chromosomes, and prepares for cell division. The cell then leaves interphase, undergoes mitosis, and completes its division.

Question 16. List out the 4 stages of the cell cycle.

Answer 16. The cycle of cells is a four-stage process consisting of the following

  1. Gap 1 (G1)
  2. Synthesis
  3. Gap 2 (G2)
  4. Mitosis.

Question 17. Write the phases of the cell cycle against each of the events

  1. The disintegration of the nuclear membrane
  2. The appearance of the nucleolus
  3. Division of centromere
  4. Replication of DNA

Answer 17.  The phases of the cell cycle are as follows:

  1. Prophase.
  2. Telophase.
  3. Anaphase.
  4. S-phase.

Question 18. Explain cell division?

Answer 18.  When a parent cell gets divided into two or more cells called daughter cells, Cell Division occurs, usually as part of a larger cell cycle. All the cells are known to reproduce by splitting into two, where each parental cell gives rise to two daughter cells. These daughter cells divide and then grow into a new cell population formed as the result of the division and growth of the single parental scale. This explains the cell division process.

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Q.1 Identify the type of cell division.

Marks:1

Ans

Mitosis is the process in which a cell duplicates its chromosomes to generate two identical cells. Here in the picture, two identical daughter cells are formed from the parent cell with same chromosome number hence, it is a mitotic division.

Q.2 If, by successive divisions of a bacterium every minute, a small test tube is filled up in one hour, then half of the test tube will fill up in?

Marks:1

Ans

If, by successive division of a bacterium every minute, a small test tube is filled up in one hour, then half of the test tube will fill up in 59 minutes, and to fill one fourth of the test tube, time will be 58 minutes.

Q.3 A cell with a diploid number of 24 undergoes meiosis, how many chromosomes are in each daughter cell

Marks:1

Ans

Meiosis is a specialized kind of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half result in the production of haploid daughter cells. If a cell with a diploid number of 24 undergoes meiosis then in daughter cell chromosomes number reduces to half that is 12 in this case.

Q.4 In the given image, a cell is shown. Identify the stage of cell division and its characteristic feature.

Marks:1

Ans

Telophase – Nuclear envelope and Golgi complex reforms

Q.5 A somatic cell has just completed the S-phase of its cell cycle. Which of the following is correct about the cell in comparison to the gamete of the same species?

Marks:1

Ans

It possesses twice the number of chromosomes and four times the amount of DNA.

Chromosome number DNA content
Gamete n x
Somatic cell (Diploid) 2n 2x
Somatic cell (After S-phase) 2n 4x

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2. What is the difference between cell cycle and cell division?

Cell division is just one of several stages a cell goes through. The number of cells divides and increases in number to produce new cells. The cell cycle is a repeating series of events that include growth, DNA synthesis, and cell division. The cell cycle is divided into two phases called (i) Interphase – a period of preparation for cell division, and (ii) Mitosis (M phase) – the actual period of cell division. Interphase is further subdivided into G1, S and G2.