at the beginning of meiosis how many chromosomes does the diploid parent cell have

HESI RN

Biology Test

1. At the beginning of meiosis, how many chromosomes does the diploid parent cell have?

A. 23
B. 24
C. 46
D. 54

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 46. At the start of meiosis, the diploid parent cell contains 46 chromosomes. During meiosis, the number of chromosomes is halved, resulting in each gamete having 23 chromosomes. Choice A (23) is incorrect because that is the number of chromosomes in a human gamete, not the parent cell. Choice B (24) and Choice D (54) are also incorrect as they do not reflect the correct number of chromosomes in a diploid parent cell at the beginning of meiosis.

2. Asexual reproduction is a type of reproduction by which offspring arise from:

A. Two identical cells
B. A single cell
C. Two cells
D. Four daughter cells

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Asexual reproduction is a type of reproduction where a single parent cell divides to produce genetically identical offspring. The correct answer is 'B: A single cell' because asexual reproduction does not involve the fusion of two cells. Choice A ('Two identical cells') is incorrect because asexual reproduction does not involve two cells. Choice C ('Two cells') is incorrect because asexual reproduction typically involves only one parent cell. Choice D ('Four daughter cells') is incorrect because asexual reproduction does not necessarily involve the production of four daughter cells.

3. What is the main objective of the translation stage of protein synthesis?

A. To produce amino acids
B. To produce nucleotides
C. To produce fatty acids
D. To produce proteins

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The main objective of the translation stage of protein synthesis is to produce proteins. During translation, ribosomes decode mRNA sequences to synthesize proteins by linking amino acids together. Choice A, 'To produce amino acids,' is incorrect as amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are not produced during translation. Choices B and C, 'To produce nucleotides' and 'To produce fatty acids,' are also incorrect as these molecules are not the direct products of the translation stage of protein synthesis.

4. What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

A. There is no difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.
B. Saturated fatty acids contain double bonds, unlike unsaturated fatty acids.
C. Saturated fatty acids often contain two or more pairs of double bonds, unlike unsaturated fatty acids.
D. Saturated fatty acids contain no double bonds, unlike unsaturated fatty acids.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Saturated fatty acids contain no double bonds between the carbon atoms in their hydrocarbon chains, making them more solid at room temperature. Choice A is incorrect because there is a significant difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Choice B is incorrect as it inaccurately states that saturated fatty acids contain double bonds, which is a property of unsaturated fatty acids. Choice C is also incorrect as saturated fatty acids do not contain double bonds, let alone two or more pairs of double bonds.

5. During which stage of mitosis does the nuclear envelope begin to disappear and the chromosomes start attaching to the spindle forming along the cell's axis?

A. Prometaphase
B. Metaphase
C. Anaphase
D. Prophase

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Prometaphase. During prometaphase, the nuclear envelope disintegrates, and chromosomes start attaching to spindle fibers. In metaphase, chromosomes align in the middle of the cell. Anaphase is characterized by the separation of sister chromatids, and prophase involves the condensation of chromosomes and the beginning of spindle formation.