Cell Cycle and Cell Division – Daily Practice Problem (DPP)

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🎯 NEET 2026 Daily Practice Problem (DPP)

Topic: Cell Cycle and Cell Division | 20 High-Yield MCQs

Q1. In which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?

  1. G1 phase
  2. S phase
  3. G2 phase
  4. M phase
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) S phase
Explanation: Synthesis (S) phase is the period during which DNA content doubles (2C to 4C), but the chromosome number remains the same.

Q2. Crossing over takes place during which stage of Prophase I?

  1. Leptotene
  2. Zygotene
  3. Pachytene
  4. Diplotene
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Pachytene
Explanation: Pachytene is characterized by the appearance of recombination nodules and the exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids.

Q3. The ‘G0’ phase (Quiescent stage) refers to cells that:

  1. Have terminated the cell cycle
  2. Exit G1 and enter an inactive stage
  3. Are metabolically inactive
  4. Show uncontrolled division
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) Exit G1 and enter an inactive stage
Explanation: Cells in G0 are metabolically active but no longer proliferate unless called on to do so (e.g., heart cells or nerve cells).

Q4. Synapsis occurs between:

  1. Two non-homologous chromosomes
  2. A male and a female gamete
  3. Two homologous chromosomes
  4. mRNA and ribosomes
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Correct Answer: (3) Two homologous chromosomes
Explanation: Pairing of homologous chromosomes (Synapsis) starts during the Zygotene stage of Prophase I.

Q5. Which stage of Mitosis is best suited to study the morphology of chromosomes?

  1. Prophase
  2. Metaphase
  3. Anaphase
  4. Telophase
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) Metaphase
Explanation: During Metaphase, chromosomes are shortest and most condensed, and are aligned at the equator, making them clearly visible.

Q6. Splitting of centromeres and separation of chromatids occurs during:

  1. Anaphase
  2. Metaphase
  3. Prophase
  4. Telophase
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Correct Answer: (1) Anaphase
Explanation: In Anaphase of mitosis, centromeres split and sister chromatids move to opposite poles. (In Anaphase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes separate, not sister chromatids).

Q7. The complex formed by a pair of synapsed homologous chromosomes is called:

  1. Kinetochore
  2. Bivalent
  3. Axoneme
  4. Equatorial plate
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Correct Answer: (2) Bivalent
Explanation: A bivalent (or tetrad) consists of four chromatids and two centromeres belonging to homologous chromosomes.

Q8. Dissolution of the synaptonemal complex occurs during:

  1. Pachytene
  2. Diplotene
  3. Diakinesis
  4. Zygotene
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) Diplotene
Explanation: Diplotene is marked by the dissolution of the synaptonemal complex and the tendency of bivalents to separate, remaining attached at Chiasmata.

Q9. If a diploid cell has 24 chromosomes, how many chromosomes will be present in each cell after Meiosis II?

  1. 24
  2. 48
  3. 12
  4. 6
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) 12
Explanation: Meiosis is reductional division. The daughter cells end up with half the number of chromosomes (n = 12) compared to the parent cell (2n = 24).

Q10. Recombination of genes on homologous chromosomes is mediated by the enzyme:

  1. Ligase
  2. DNA Polymerase
  3. Recombinase
  4. Topoisomerase
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Recombinase
Explanation: The process of crossing over is enzyme-mediated, involving the enzyme recombinase during the Pachytene stage.

Q20. In animal cells, cytokinesis involves the formation of:

  1. Cell plate
  2. Furrow in the plasma membrane
  3. A new cell wall
  4. Middle lamella
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) Furrow in the plasma membrane
Explanation: Animal cells divide by the formation of a cleavage furrow (centripetal). Plant cells divide by cell plate formation (centrifugal).

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