Question

At which phase of the cell cycle, DNA polymerase activity is at its highest?
a) Gap 1 (GI)
b) Mitotic (M)
c)Synthetic (S)
d)Gap 2 (G2)

Answer 1

Hint:- Cell cycle is a phase of a cell in which it undergoes replication of its genetic material and is then divided into two daughter cells. The cell undergoes various stages in which different functions are performed in the cell. The cell is first prepared for division and then only undergoes cytokinesis.

Complete step-by-step solution:-
The cell cycle involves a four-stage process which consists of Gap 1, Synthetic, Gap 2 and Mitotic phase. A cell undergoes the cell cycle to grow and divide itself. From one mitosis phase to the next mitosis phase, the cell is known to be in the interphase. In the first phase of the cell cycle, which is Gap 1, the cell usually grows in size and the contents present in the cell usually gets duplicated. In the second phase of the cycle, DNA replicates. It occurs in the synthetic phase of the cell cycle. The DNA replicates using DNA polymerase and various other enzymes. So, the activity of the polymerase can be seen at the highest in this stage only. In this stage, the chromosome number of the cell increases. In the Gap 2 phase, the cell grows in size as well as the organelles present in the cell prepare themselves for cell division. In the mitotic phase, the cell undergoes karyokinesis which is followed by cytokinesis of the cell. This leads to the formation of two identical daughter cells.
So, the answer is Option C.

Note:- Some of the cells after undergoing cell division enter into a resting phase. In this phase, the cells perform their normal functions and activities but they don’t undergo any further division. Some of the cells remain permanently in this resting phase while some may further redivide themselves.