Question
A diagram of a process that occurs during one of the stages of the cell cycle is shown. Which answer choice best identifies the process illustrated and the stage of the cell cycle in which it occurs?
Answer
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(285 Votes)
Rory
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
The process illustrated in the picture is DNA replication, which is a fundamental process that occurs during the cell cycle. Here are the steps to identify the process and the stage of the cell cycle:Step 1: Identify the key enzymes involved in the process.- The presence of DNA helicase suggests that the DNA double helix is being unwound. DNA helicase is responsible for separating the two strands of the DNA double helix.- The presence of DNA polymerase indicates that new strands of DNA are being synthesized. DNA polymerase is the enzyme that adds nucleotides to a growing DNA strand.Step 2: Understand the role of these enzymes in DNA replication.- DNA helicase unwinds the DNA double helix, creating a replication fork where the DNA strands are separated.- DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides complementary to the template strand.Step 3: Determine the stage of the cell cycle where DNA replication occurs.- DNA replication occurs during the S phase (synthesis phase) of the cell cycle. This is the phase where the cell synthesizes a complete copy of the DNA in its nucleus.Answer:The process illustrated is DNA replication, and it occurs during the S phase of the cell cycle.