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Question #45769
The Question
Colchicine is an alkaloid that binds to tubulin dimers, inhibiting their polymerization. If a population of actively dividing, ciliated human epithelial cells is exposed to colchicine, which of the following accurately describes the resulting cellular fallout?
Options
- A.
The cells will arrest at Metaphase due to spindle failure, and the formation of new 9+2 axonemal arrays will be inhibited.
- B.
The cells will arrest at Anaphase due to kinetochore detachment, and the existing 9+0 ciliary axonemes will immediately depolymerize.
- C.
The cells will fail to undergo cytokinesis due to microfilament disruption, while basal body replication remains unaffected.
- D.
The cells will arrest at Prophase due to the inability to condense chromatin, and the 9+2 organization of centrioles will be disrupted.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Tubulin_dimer|Basal_body|Centriole
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: This question tests the student's ability to integrate the function of microtubules across different cellular domains (spindle apparatus and ciliary axoneme).
The primary traps involve confusing the specific microtubular arrangements (9+2 in cilia/flagella vs. 9+0 in centrioles/basal bodies), misidentifying the exact stage of mitotic arrest (Metaphase vs.
Anaphase/Prophase), and confusing cytoskeletal elements (Microtubules vs.
Actin Microfilaments in cytokinesis).
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Locomotion and Movement - Class 11 |
| Concept | Ciliary/Flagellar Ultrastructure |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |