Tricky mitosis question--read carefully!
Biology
Level
pending
If a scientist were to conditionally delete the genes for tubulin α and β in a cell,then stimulates the cell to divide, in which phase(s) will the deletion be apparent? I: Prophase II: Metaphase III. Anaphase IV: Telophase
All options (I, II, III & IV)
I & II, only
I, II & III, only
I, only
II, only
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1 solution
Tubulin alpha and beta are the constituents of microtubules. During prophase, the centrosomes move to opposite sides of the cell via lengthening of the microtubules, but how can the centrosomes move if there's nothing to lengthen the microtubules with? So, you would see no movement of centrosomes during prophase/prometaphase and you wouldn't even be able to enter metaphase because again, you need lengthening of microtubules and movement of centrosomes to expand the fibers AND attach the spindles to kinetochores of chromosomes to line them up at the metaphase plate. Then, anaphase and telophase wouldn't even be possible.