A plant-derived protein known as colchicine can be used to poison cells by blocking the formation of the spindle. Which of the following would result if colchicine is added to a sample of cells in G2?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Colchicine prevents the formation of the spindle fibers required to separate the chromosomes during cell division. If added during G2, the chromosomes will already have duplicated and condensed. Therefore, they will coil and shorten but have no spindle fibers to which to attach, resulting in disrupted cell division. The answer (A) is not correct because the cells will not immediately die, and the absence of a spindle fiber will not affect the cell's ability to perform its normal G2 functions. The answer (B) is incorrect because the cells will still progress to M despite the absence of spindle fibers. The answer (D) is incorrect because although the chromosomes will segregate, it will be in a disorderly manner. The answer (E) is incorrect because colchicine's effect is not heritable, and each daughter cell will be able to form a spindle normally after the drug is removed.

A Plant-Derived Protein Known as Colchicine Can Be Used to Poison