Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes mitosis?

1. A process of cell growth

2. A process of nuclear division

3. A process of DNA replication

4. A process of cellular metabolism

The correct answer is: A process of nuclear division

Mitosis is best described as a process of nuclear division, which is critical for the proper distribution of genetic material to daughter cells. During mitosis, a parent cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells, ensuring that each new cell has the same number of chromosomes as the original cell. This process includes several stages—prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase—each playing a specific role in the orchestration of chromosome separation and ultimately leading to the formation of two separate nuclei. The other options do not accurately represent the central feature of mitosis. Mitosis is not primarily about cell growth; instead, it is a specific phase in the cell cycle that enables division after growth has occurred. While DNA replication is crucial for preparing for mitosis, it actually takes place during a separate phase called interphase, which occurs prior to mitosis. Lastly, cellular metabolism encompasses a broad range of biochemical reactions necessary for maintaining life, but it does not specifically refer to the processes involved in the division of the nucleus. Therefore, describing mitosis as a process of nuclear division accurately captures its fundamental role in the life cycle of a cell.