Final answer:
Without the S phase, DNA replication would not occur, which is critical for cell division. The daughter cells would likely either enter the G1 phase without DNA replication or undergo apoptosis due to the failure in the cell cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the S phase was eliminated from the cell cycle, the daughter cells would encounter significant issues. Without the S phase, DNA replication would not occur. This means that the cells would not have a complete set of DNA needed for subsequent generations. The cells would most likely not be able to proceed to the G2 phase properly, as they depend on successful DNA replication to continue the cell cycle. To answer the student's specific question, without the S phase, the daughter cells would possibly do option A, enter the G1 phase without DNA replication, which is inconsistent with a healthy cell cycle and likely to lead to cell malfunction or death. They might also undergo option D, apoptosis, as the lack of DNA replication can trigger cell death pathways. Option C, remaining in the S phase, is not possible since the S phase is hypothetically eliminated, and option B, proceeding to the G2 phase, would be incorrect since the cell cannot properly proceed without replicated DNA. In a well-regulated cell cycle, checkpoint mechanisms would detect the failure to replicate DNA and arrest the cycle, possibly leading to apoptosis if the problem cannot be remedied.