Question

Given below is a diagram representing a stage during mitotic cell division in an animal cell:

1. Identify the above stage. Give a reason to support your answer.
2. Name the parts labelled 1, 2, 3, and 4.
3. What is the function of part 3?
4. Name the stage that comes just after the stage shown in the diagram. Draw a well-labelled diagram of this stage.

Answer 1

(i) The stage shown in the diagram is Metaphase.

The chromosomes have lined up in a single plane along the equatorial plate (middle of the cell), and each chromosome is attached to spindle fibers from opposite poles.

(ii) 

1. Centriole (or Centrosome/Aster)
2. Spindle fiber
3. Centromere
4. Chromatid (or Chromosome)

(iii) The function of part 3 (Centromere) is to hold the two sister chromatids of a duplicate chromosome together and to serve as the point of attachment for the spindle fibers during cell division, ensuring proper alignment and eventual separation of the chromatids.

(iv)