Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Practice Exam

What does the cell cycle encompass?

1. A sequence from cell origin to division

2. Only the phases of mitosis

3. Cell death and apoptosis

4. The process of gamete formation

The correct answer is: A sequence from cell origin to division

The cell cycle encompasses a sequence from cell origin to division, capturing the entire process of cell growth and replication. It includes the stages of interphase (which consists of G1, S, and G2 phases) where the cell prepares for division by growing and replicating its DNA, followed by the mitotic phase (mitosis and cytokinesis) where the cell divides into two daughter cells. This comprehensive view reflects how cells go through a life cycle from formation, growth, and ultimately to division, emphasizing the continuity and regulation of cell life. The other options focus on more specific aspects that do not represent the complete cycle: only the phases of mitosis exclude interphase components; cell death and apoptosis describe processes that can occur outside the standard cycle; and the process of gamete formation pertains to meiosis, which is a separate and specialized process distinct from the cell cycle of somatic cells.