Question

If you are looking at a cell in which 2n = 16, and there appear to be 8 structures lined up at the metaphase plate, then you are looking at?

1) Anaphase
2) Metaphase
3) Prophase
4) Telophase

Answer 1

When you observe 8 structures lined up at the metaphase plate in a cell with a diploid number of 16 (2n = 16), you are looking at a cell in metaphase of mitosis or meiosis II.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you observe a cell with 2n = 16 and see 8 structures lined up at the metaphase plate, then you are looking at a cell in metaphase. During metaphase, the chromosomes, which have already replicated, align at the center of the cell, known as the metaphase plate.

Since you only see 8 structures, it suggests that these are the replicated chromosomes (paired sister chromatids) aligned in preparation for separation, which is characteristic of metaphase of either mitosis or meiosis II.