Question

In what type of cells - prokaryotes or eukaryotes - does the cell cycle occur?

1) Prokaryotes
2) Eukaryotes
3) Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes
4) Neither prokaryotes nor eukaryotes

Answer 1

Option (2), The cell cycle primarily refers to the process that eukaryotic cells follow as they grow and divide. Eukaryotes have a more complex cell cycle including phases like growth, DNA synthesis, mitosis, and cytokinesis, while prokaryotes replicate and divide through binary fission.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cell cycle is a sequence of events that cells go through as they grow and divide. While both prokaryotes and eukaryotes undergo cell division, the term 'cell cycle' is generally associated with eukaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic cells divide through a simpler process called binary fission, which involves the replication of the single circular chromosome and division of the cell into two daughter cells. In contrast, eukaryotic cells undergo a more complex process involving multiple phases, where the cell grows (interphase), duplicates its multiple chromosomes (DNA synthesis), and divides (mitosis and cytokinesis).

For this reason, the correct answer to the question 'In what type of cells does the cell cycle occur?' would be: 2) Eukaryotes. However, it's important to note that prokaryotic cells also undergo a similar but simpler version of the cell cycle.