Consider the following statements:
- DNA replication takes place when chromatin is opened up.
- Chromatin organises itself into rod-shaped chromosomes before cell division.
- Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have the same process for cell division.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3″ option4=”3 only” correct=”option2″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2024
Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect. Thus, the correct option is B.
Statement 1 is correct: DNA replication happens during the S phase when chromatin is relatively decondensed (‘opened up’) to allow access for replication enzymes. Statement 2 is correct: Before eukaryotic cell division (mitosis or meiosis), the diffuse chromatin fibers condense and coil tightly to form discrete, visible chromosomes. Statement 3 is incorrect: Prokaryotic cell division (binary fission) is a simpler process than eukaryotic cell division (mitosis and meiosis), which involves complex stages, spindle formation, and chromosome segregation mechanisms not found in prokaryotes.