pierce5e

Comprehension Questions

Section 2.1

What are some genetic differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Why are the viruses that infect mammalian cells useful for studying the genetics of mammals?

Section 2.2

List three fundamental events that must take place in cell reproduction.

Outline the process by which prokaryotic cells reproduce.

Name three essential structural elements of a functional eukaryotic chromosome and describe their functions.

Sketch and identify four different types of chromosomes based on the position of the centromere.

List the stages of interphase and the major events that take place in each stage.

What are checkpoints? List some of the important checkpoints in the cell cycle.

List the stages of mitosis and the major events that take place in each stage.

Briefly describe how the chromosomes move toward the spindle poles during anaphase.

What are the genetically important results of the cell cycle and mitosis?

Why are the two cells produced by the cell cycle genetically identical?

Section 2.3

What are the stages of meiosis and what major events take place in each stage?

What are the major results of meiosis?

What two processes unique to meiosis are responsible for genetic variation? At what point in meiosis do these processes take place?

List some similarities and differences between mitosis and meiosis. Which differences do you think are most important and why?

Briefly explain why sister chromatids remain together in anaphase I but separate in anaphase II of meiosis.

Outline the processes of spermatogenesis and oogenesis in animals.

Outline the processes of male gamete formation and female gamete formation in plants.

For more questions that test your comprehension of the key chapter concepts, go to for this chapter.