Chromosome and Chromatid Counting Flashcards
Practice chromosome, chromatid, and DNA-molecule counts through mitosis and meiosis, with clear cell boundaries and short explanations.
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Practice chromosome, chromatid, and DNA-molecule counting with 48 original flashcards for learners who already know the main stages of mitosis and meiosis.
The cards map an explicit stage and counting boundary to justified counts; compare replication, separation, and cytokinesis; recover a starting chromosome complement from a constrained observation; and repair common counting mistakes. Four cards distinguish ploidy from DNA amount in G1, G2, completed meiosis I, and completed meiosis II. One inverse problem asks you to recognize when the information is insufficient.
Count nuclear DNA only. A DNA molecule means one double-stranded molecule. A joined replicated chromosome counts as one chromosome with two sister chromatids; after sisters separate, each is called a daughter chromosome. Chromatid-count questions use attached sisters only, avoiding competing terminology after separation. Each numerical problem specifies one cell, one nucleus, one pole-bound group, or all named products. 1C means the DNA amount in one unreplicated haploid set.
The sequence introduces counting units and boundaries, develops mitotic and meiotic stage calculations, then adds reverse reasoning and error repair. Comparisons are interleaved with the calculations they support, and related numerical variants are spaced apart.
Examples assume ordinary diploid eukaryotic cells, normal completed replication and segregation, and no new replication after a stated final division. The deck excludes partial S phase, organelle DNA, abnormal segregation, aneuploidy, polyploidy, chromosome fragments, endoreduplication, species-specific counts, reproductive medicine, and full-course or exam coverage. It does not ask you to infer a unique stage from an unconstrained molecule count, memorize centromere-copy totals, or assign disputed temporary anaphase ploidy labels. These exclusions keep the answers well defined.
Questions, answers, numerical examples, sequence, and metadata were independently authored from common biological facts. Fact checks used NHGRI’s chromatid and haploid definitions, the WormBook meiosis review, Paulson and colleagues’ mitotic chromosome review, and Columbia’s DNA-content convention. No source passages, exercises, or figures were copied. The cover is an original AI-generated conceptual emblem, not a cell-division or counting diagram.
Original text, organization, metadata, and generated cover are offered under CC0 1.0 to the extent applicable rights exist. This dedication does not cover the cited sources or third-party rights. This is an independent study resource, not affiliated with or endorsed by NHGRI, WormBook, Columbia University, the cited authors, or any course or examination provider.
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Carta 1
Domanda
What does one DNA molecule mean when counting nuclear chromosomes?
Risposta
One double-stranded DNA molecule
The two complementary strands together form one molecule in this counting convention. An unreplicated chromosome contains one such molecule.
Carta 2
Domanda
How do sister chromatids differ from the two chromosomes in a homologous pair?
Risposta
Sisters are the two products of replicating one chromosome; homologs are the corresponding chromosomes in a diploid pair.
A replicated homologous pair therefore contains two chromosomes, each with its own sister pair.
Carta 3
Domanda
Before sister chromatids separate, how is one replicated chromosome counted?
Risposta
One chromosome, two sister chromatids, two double-stranded DNA molecules
Once the sisters separate, each is a daughter chromosome. This is a counting convention for the joined unit, not a claim that replicated sisters share a single copy of centromeric DNA.
Carta 4
Domanda
Why must a chromosome-counting question say whether it means one cell, one nucleus, or one pole-bound group?
Risposta
Those boundaries can contain different numbers of chromosomes.
Before cytokinesis is complete, two pole-bound groups or two re-formed nuclei can still lie inside one cell.
Carta 5
Domanda
What does n represent in a chromosome count?
Risposta
The number of chromosomes in one complete haploid set
A diploid complement is 2n. Replication produces sister copies without adding another homologous set.
Carta 6
Domanda
For normal cell-division counting, what does “completed division, before the next S phase” specify?
Risposta
Chromosome segregation and cytokinesis are finished, and the resulting cells have not replicated DNA again.
This avoids confusing a whole dividing cell with one final daughter cell.
Carta 7
Domanda
A normal diploid cell has 2n = 6. In its G1 nucleus, how many chromosomes and double-stranded DNA molecules are present?
Risposta
6 chromosomes and 6 DNA molecules
Each chromosome is unreplicated and contains one double-stranded DNA molecule.
Carta 8
Domanda
In a normal diploid G1 nucleus, what are the ploidy and DNA amount? Let 1C mean the DNA amount in one unreplicated haploid set.
Risposta
2n and 2C
The nucleus contains two homologous sets, each unreplicated. C measures DNA amount, not a number of molecules.
Carta 9
Domanda
A normal diploid nucleus starts G1 with 2n = 8. Across one completed S phase, how do its chromosome and double-stranded DNA-molecule counts change?
Risposta
Chromosomes: 8 → 8. DNA molecules: 8 → 16.
Each chromosome acquires two joined sister chromatids. Replication doubles the DNA-molecule count without doubling the conventional chromosome count.
Carta 10
Domanda
A normal diploid cell has 2n = 6. After S phase is complete, in its G2 nucleus, how many chromosomes, attached sister chromatids, and DNA molecules are present?
Risposta
6 chromosomes, 12 sister chromatids, and 12 double-stranded DNA molecules
The six replicated chromosomes each contain two sisters.
Carta 11
Domanda
In one whole cell at normal mitotic metaphase, with starting diploid complement 2n = 8, how many chromosomes, attached sister chromatids, and nuclear DNA molecules are present?
Risposta
8 chromosomes, 16 sister chromatids, and 16 double-stranded DNA molecules
Replication is complete, and the sisters are still joined.
Carta 12
Domanda
A normal G1 nucleus has 2n = 10. A learner calls this “10 homologous pairs.” What is the correct pair count?
Risposta
5 homologous pairs
The 10 counts individual chromosomes. Each homologous pair contains two chromosomes, so 10 ÷ 2 = 5.
Carta 13
Domanda
A cell with starting diploid complement 2n = 6 is in normal mitotic anaphase: all sisters have separated, but cytokinesis is incomplete. Count daughter chromosomes and nuclear DNA molecules in the whole cell.
Risposta
12 daughter chromosomes and 12 double-stranded DNA molecules
The six replicated chromosomes have separated into twelve daughter chromosomes. Both pole-bound groups are still inside the counted cell.
Carta 14
Domanda
In a normal diploid G2 nucleus after completed replication, what are the ploidy and DNA amount? Let 1C mean the DNA amount in one unreplicated haploid set.
Risposta
2n and 4C
There are still two homologous sets, but each chromosome is replicated. DNA amount has doubled from G1.
Carta 15
Domanda
In normal meiosis, is there another S phase between meiosis I and meiosis II?
Risposta
No
One completed replication precedes the two divisions. Meiosis II separates the sisters that remain joined after meiosis I.
Carta 16
Domanda
A cell with diploid complement 2n = 8 completes normal mitosis and cytokinesis. Before another S phase, count chromosomes and nuclear DNA molecules in one daughter cell.
Risposta
8 chromosomes and 8 double-stranded DNA molecules
Each daughter receives one copy of every chromosome in the starting diploid complement.
Carta 17
Domanda
Normal mitotic telophase has produced two re-formed nuclei, but cytokinesis is incomplete. Does “per nucleus” mean the same boundary as “per cell”?
Risposta
No
One cell still contains both nuclei. A per-cell total includes the chromosomes in both nuclei; a per-nucleus count includes only one.
Carta 18
Domanda
A cell with starting diploid complement 2n = 6 is in normal mitotic anaphase after all sisters separate. Count daughter chromosomes and nuclear DNA molecules in the group moving toward one pole.
Risposta
6 daughter chromosomes and 6 double-stranded DNA molecules
Each pole-bound group receives one daughter chromosome from each of the six replicated chromosomes.
Carta 19
Domanda
A normal diploid nucleus has 2n = 8. After completed S phase, a learner reports 16 chromosomes because DNA doubled. What chromosome count should replace 16?
Risposta
8 chromosomes
There are 16 attached sister chromatids and 16 double-stranded DNA molecules, but each joined sister pair still counts as one chromosome.
Carta 20
Domanda
One whole cell with starting diploid complement 2n = 8 is at normal metaphase I. How many homologous pairs, chromosomes, attached sister chromatids, and nuclear DNA molecules are present?
Risposta
4 homologous pairs, 8 chromosomes, 16 sister chromatids, and 16 double-stranded DNA molecules
Each pair contains two replicated homologs; each homolog contains two sisters.
Carta 21
Domanda
What separates in normal anaphase I, and how does that differ from normal mitotic anaphase?
Risposta
Anaphase I separates homologous chromosomes; mitotic anaphase separates sister chromatids.
In meiosis I, each pole-bound chromosome still has its two sisters. In mitosis, separated sisters are daughter chromosomes.
Carta 22
Domanda
A cell with starting diploid complement 2n = 6 has completed normal mitotic chromosome segregation. Two nuclei have re-formed, but cytokinesis is incomplete. Count chromosomes and DNA molecules in one nucleus.
Risposta
6 chromosomes and 6 double-stranded DNA molecules
That nucleus encloses one complete daughter complement. The other nucleus is outside the requested boundary.
Carta 23
Domanda
A cell with starting diploid complement 2n = 8 completes normal meiosis I and cytokinesis. Count chromosomes, attached sister chromatids, and nuclear DNA molecules in one resulting cell.
Risposta
4 chromosomes, 8 sister chromatids, and 8 double-stranded DNA molecules
The cell has one homolog from each pair, with each chromosome still replicated.
Carta 24
Domanda
A normal mitotic cell began with 2n = 8 and has finished sister separation. What happens to the total number of nuclear DNA molecules when cytokinesis divides it into two cells, before any new replication?
Risposta
The combined total stays 16; each daughter contains 8.
Cytokinesis changes the cell boundary. It partitions existing DNA rather than making or removing DNA molecules.
Carta 25
Domanda
One cell with starting diploid complement 2n = 8 is in normal anaphase I after homologs separate but before cytokinesis. Count chromosomes, attached sister chromatids, and nuclear DNA molecules in the whole cell.
Risposta
8 chromosomes, 16 sister chromatids, and 16 double-stranded DNA molecules
Homologs move apart while each sister pair stays joined. Counting both pole-bound groups preserves the whole-cell total.
Carta 26
Domanda
After normal reciprocal crossing over is complete, does it change the chromosome or DNA-molecule count at metaphase I?
Risposta
No
It changes DNA sequence combinations, not the completed-stage counts. Sisters need not remain genetically identical after crossing over.
Carta 27
Domanda
A cell with starting diploid complement 2n = 6 has completed normal mitotic segregation. Two nuclei have re-formed, but cytokinesis is incomplete. Count chromosomes and DNA molecules across both nuclei together.
Risposta
12 chromosomes and 12 double-stranded DNA molecules
Each nucleus contains six. The requested total includes both nuclei inside the same cell.
Carta 28
Domanda
A parent with diploid complement 2n = 8 completed normal meiosis I. In one of its two cells at metaphase II, count chromosomes, attached sister chromatids, and nuclear DNA molecules.
Risposta
4 chromosomes, 8 sister chromatids, and 8 double-stranded DNA molecules
Each cell retained one replicated homolog per pair. No second replication occurred.
Carta 29
Domanda
A cell with starting diploid complement 2n = 8 is in normal anaphase I after homologs separate. Count chromosomes, attached sister chromatids, and nuclear DNA molecules in the group moving toward one pole.
Risposta
4 chromosomes, 8 sister chromatids, and 8 double-stranded DNA molecules
One replicated homolog from each of the four pairs moves toward that pole.
Carta 30
Domanda
In a normal mitotic cell, all sisters separate at anaphase before cytokinesis. Why can the chromosome count rise while the nuclear DNA-molecule count stays unchanged?
Risposta
Existing sister copies become separate daughter chromosomes.
Sister separation changes what counts as a chromosome; it does not synthesize DNA. Replication occurred earlier in S phase.
Carta 31
Domanda
A normal diploid cell at mitotic metaphase contains 20 double-stranded nuclear DNA molecules in the whole cell. What is its diploid chromosome number, 2n?
Risposta
2n = 10
Each of the replicated chromosomes has two DNA molecules, so 20 ÷ 2 = 10 chromosomes.
Carta 32
Domanda
A parent had diploid complement 2n = 8. In one normal meiosis-II cell, all sisters have separated at anaphase II but cytokinesis is incomplete. Count daughter chromosomes and nuclear DNA molecules in that whole cell.
Risposta
8 daughter chromosomes and 8 double-stranded DNA molecules
Its four replicated chromosomes have separated into eight daughter chromosomes. This counts both poles of one meiosis-II cell.
Carta 33
Domanda
A parent with diploid complement 2n = 8 completes normal meiosis I, meiosis II, and both cytokineses. Before new replication, count chromosomes and nuclear DNA molecules in one final product.
Risposta
4 chromosomes and 4 double-stranded DNA molecules
The product has one unreplicated haploid set.
Carta 34
Domanda
A parent with diploid complement 2n = 8 completed normal meiosis I. Both resulting cells are now at metaphase II. How do chromosome and nuclear DNA-molecule counts in one cell compare with the totals across both?
Risposta
One cell: 4 chromosomes and 8 DNA molecules. Both cells: 8 chromosomes and 16 DNA molecules.
All DNA molecules are double-stranded. Each meiosis-II cell contains one replicated haploid set.
Carta 35
Domanda
During normal anaphase I, one pole-bound group contains 10 double-stranded nuclear DNA molecules, with sister pairs still joined. What was the starting diploid chromosome number, 2n?
Risposta
2n = 10
Ten molecules make five replicated chromosomes at that pole. That group is one haploid set, so n = 5 and 2n = 10.
Carta 36
Domanda
A parent had diploid complement 2n = 8. In one normal meiosis-II cell at anaphase II, all sisters have separated. Count daughter chromosomes and nuclear DNA molecules in the group moving toward one pole.
Risposta
4 daughter chromosomes and 4 double-stranded DNA molecules
One daughter chromosome from each of that cell’s four replicated chromosomes moves toward the chosen pole.
Carta 37
Domanda
A parent with 2n = 6 completes normal meiosis into four products. A learner counts 12 nuclear DNA molecules across all products and assigns 12 to each product. What belongs in one product before new replication?
Risposta
3 double-stranded DNA molecules
Each product contains n = 3 unreplicated chromosomes. Twelve is the combined total across all four products.
Carta 38
Domanda
A normal meiotic parent had 2n = 6. After meiosis I and cytokinesis, one resulting cell contains 6 nuclear DNA molecules. A learner predicts 12 at metaphase II. Repair the prediction.
Risposta
6 double-stranded DNA molecules at metaphase II
There is no S phase between the two meiotic divisions. The cell keeps three replicated chromosomes, each with two molecules.
Carta 39
Domanda
A cell with diploid complement 2n = 6 completes normal mitosis and cytokinesis. Before new replication, count chromosomes and nuclear DNA molecules across both daughter cells together.
Risposta
12 chromosomes and 12 double-stranded DNA molecules
Each of the two daughters contains six. A combined total is larger than the count in either daughter.
Carta 40
Domanda
One whole cell at normal metaphase II contains 7 chromosomes. What was the diploid chromosome number, 2n, of the parent that began meiosis?
Risposta
2n = 14
At metaphase II, the cell contains one replicated haploid set, so its seven chromosomes represent n = 7.
Carta 41
Domanda
After normal meiosis I and cytokinesis, what are the ploidy and DNA amount in one resulting cell? Let 1C mean the DNA amount in one unreplicated haploid set.
Risposta
n and 2C
The cell has one homologous set, but every chromosome is still replicated.
Carta 42
Domanda
A normal G1 nucleus has 2n = 6. A learner counts 12 DNA molecules because DNA has two strands. What is the correct nuclear DNA-molecule count?
Risposta
6 double-stranded DNA molecules
One unreplicated chromosome contains one double helix. Counting its two strands separately confuses strands with the molecule convention used here.
Carta 43
Domanda
A parent with diploid complement 2n = 8 completes normal meiosis into four products. Before new replication, count chromosomes and nuclear DNA molecules across all four products together.
Risposta
16 chromosomes and 16 double-stranded DNA molecules
Each product has four unreplicated chromosomes. Four products × four chromosomes gives sixteen in total.
Carta 44
Domanda
A normal diploid G2 nucleus contains 12 attached sister chromatids after complete replication. How many chromosomes did its G1 nucleus contain?
Risposta
6 chromosomes
Twelve sisters form six replicated chromosomes in G2. S phase kept the chromosome count at six.
Carta 45
Domanda
A normal meiosis-I product has one homolog from each pair, and every chromosome still has two sisters. A learner calls the cell diploid because of the sisters. Is that correct?
Risposta
No: the cell is haploid.
Ploidy counts homologous sets. The sisters are replicated copies within its single set, so they do not make it diploid.
Carta 46
Domanda
An unspecified normal eukaryotic nucleus contains 8 double-stranded DNA molecules. Is that enough information to decide whether it is haploid or diploid?
Risposta
No
You also need its replication state and the organism’s haploid complement. Eight molecules could, for example, be eight unreplicated chromosomes or four replicated chromosomes.
Carta 47
Domanda
After normal meiosis II and cytokinesis, before new replication, what are the ploidy and DNA amount in one final product? Let 1C mean the DNA amount in one unreplicated haploid set.
Risposta
n and 1C
The product contains one haploid set of unreplicated chromosomes.
Carta 48
Domanda
One final product of normal meiosis contains 5 double-stranded nuclear DNA molecules before new replication. What were n and 2n for the diploid parent?
Risposta
n = 5 and 2n = 10
Each final chromosome is unreplicated and contains one molecule, so this product has a five-chromosome haploid set.
48 carte
Chromosome and Chromatid Counting Flashcards
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