Question

Through a microscope, you can see a cell plate beginning to develop across the middle of a cell and nuclei forming on either side of the cell plate. This cell is most likely.

(a) an animal cell in the process of cytokinesis.

(b) a plant cell in the process of cytokinesis.

(c) a bacterial cell dividing

(d) a plant cell in metaphase

Short answer

(A) The option “an animal cell in the process of cytokinesis” is false.

(B) The option “a plant cell in the process of cytokinesis” is true.

(C) The option “a bacterial cell dividing” is false.

(D) The option “a plant cell in metaphase” is false

Step-by-step solution

Description of cell division 

Cell division is the process that creates new cells from the existing cells. The cell division process that takes place in plant and animal cells are more or less similar. There are variations in a few steps.

Explanation of option (A) 

The cytokinesis process takes place in the animal cells that involves the formation of the cleavage furrow. After forming this furrow, the parent cell gets divided into two cells.

The cell plate formation of the cytokinesis process does not take place in animal cells.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Explanation of option (B)

In the plant, the cytokinesis process takes place differently. It involves the formation of a cell plate to divide the two plant cells.

The cell plate formation happens in the plant cells at the final stage of cell division.

Therefore, the given statement is true.

Explanation of option (C)

The cell division process also occurs in a minute organism like bacteria. In this process, the bacterial cells divide into daughter cells by forming septum.

The cell plate formation does not take place in the bacterial cells.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Explanation of option (D)

The cell plate formation occurs during the final step of the cell division mechanism known as cytokinesis. Metaphase is the middle phase of the cell cycle.

The separation of duplicated genetic material does not take place in the metaphase.

Therefore, the given statement is false.