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AP Biology Practice Quiz: Cell Cycle

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 13 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 13

The eukaryotic cell cycle is best described as which of the following?

All Questions (13)

The eukaryotic cell cycle is best described as which of the following?

A) A single event where a cell splits into two.

B) A regulated series of events leading to cell division.

C) The process by which a cell enters a permanent non-dividing state.

D) The specific steps of prophase and metaphase only.

Correct Answer: B

The provided content explicitly states, 'The eukaryotic cell cycle is a regulated series of events including interphase (G1, S, G2), mitosis, and cytokinesis.'

What is the primary outcome of mitosis regarding the genetic material of the daughter cells?

A) Two daughter cells with half the genome of the parent cell.

B) Four genetically diverse daughter cells.

C) Two genetically identical daughter cells.

D) One daughter cell and the original parent cell.

Correct Answer: C

The content specifies that 'Mitosis ensures the transfer of a complete genome to two genetically identical daughter cells.'

Which of the following lists the sub-phases of interphase in the correct order?

A) S, G1, G2

B) G2, S, G1

C) G1, S, G2

D) G1, G2, S

Correct Answer: C

The content lists the phases of interphase as '(G1, S, G2)', which represents the correct chronological sequence of these events.

A cell that is not actively dividing and has exited the cell cycle is said to be in which stage?

A) Anaphase

B) S phase

C) G2 phase

D) G0 stage

Correct Answer: D

According to the text, 'A cell can also enter a non-dividing G0 stage.' This is the stage for cells that are not actively preparing to divide.

Which of the following lists contains only stages of mitosis?

A) G1, S, G2, Prophase

B) Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase

C) Interphase, Mitosis, Cytokinesis

D) Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, Cytokinesis

Correct Answer: B

The content explicitly identifies the sequential steps of mitosis as 'prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.' G1, S, G2 are parts of interphase, and cytokinesis is a separate event that follows mitosis.

How does mitosis ensure the 'transmission of chromosomes from one generation of cells to the next'?

A) By creating new chromosome combinations for genetic diversity.

B) By reducing the chromosome number in each daughter cell.

C) By ensuring the transfer of a complete and identical genome to each daughter cell.

D) By pausing the cell cycle indefinitely in the G0 stage.

Correct Answer: C

The text states that mitosis 'ensures the transfer of a complete genome to two genetically identical daughter cells,' which directly explains how it achieves the transmission of chromosomes.

What event is described as following the stages of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase?

A) Interphase

B) G0 stage

C) Cytokinesis

D) S phase

Correct Answer: C

The content states that the sequential steps of mitosis are 'followed by cytokinesis.'

A scientist observes a cell that has a complete, replicated genome and is preparing for the division of its nucleus. This cell is most likely at the end of which phase?

A) G1

B) S

C) G2

D) G0

Correct Answer: C

Interphase (G1, S, G2) is the preparatory phase. Since the genome is already replicated (which happens in S phase), and the cell is preparing for mitosis, it must be in the G2 phase, which follows S and precedes mitosis.

The description of the cell cycle as a 'regulated series of events' implies that the process...

A) is random and unpredictable.

B) always proceeds at the same speed in all cells.

C) is controlled and can be halted, as seen with the G0 stage.

D) only occurs in prokaryotic organisms.

Correct Answer: C

The term 'regulated' indicates control. The existence of a 'non-dividing G0 stage' provides direct evidence from the text that the cycle is controlled and can be paused or stopped.

If a parent cell has a complete genome, what is the status of the genome in the two daughter cells immediately after mitosis and cytokinesis are complete?

A) Each daughter cell has half of the complete genome.

B) Each daughter cell has a complete and genetically identical genome.

C) One daughter cell has a complete genome, and the other has none.

D) Each daughter cell has a genetically unique genome.

Correct Answer: B

The text explicitly states that mitosis ensures the 'transfer of a complete genome to two genetically identical daughter cells.'

Which of the following correctly pairs a major stage of the cell cycle with its components?

A) Mitosis: G1, S, G2

B) Interphase: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase

C) Interphase: G1, S, G2

D) Cytokinesis: G0, G1

Correct Answer: C

The provided text identifies the components of interphase as '(G1, S, G2)' and the components of mitosis as 'prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.'

Which statement best synthesizes the relationship between interphase and mitosis as described in the text?

A) Interphase and mitosis are independent processes that occur at random.

B) Mitosis is a preparatory phase for interphase, where the genome is replicated.

C) Interphase is a preparatory period for mitosis, which then serves as the mechanism for distributing the replicated genome.

D) Both interphase and mitosis are parts of the non-dividing G0 stage.

Correct Answer: C

The text presents the cell cycle as a sequence: interphase (G1, S, G2), followed by mitosis. This implies interphase prepares the cell for mitosis, and mitosis's function is to transmit the chromosomes (genome) to the next generation of cells.

The overall purpose of the events in the cell cycle is to...

A) allow a cell to grow indefinitely.

B) produce new cells from an existing cell.

C) store genetic information in the G0 stage.

D) eliminate chromosomes from the cell.

Correct Answer: B

The text describes the cell cycle as a series of events including interphase, mitosis, and cytokinesis, which results in the creation of two daughter cells. This is the fundamental process of producing new cells.