Question

Phase of shortest duration is:-
A. Prophase
B. Metaphase
C. Anaphase
D. S-phase

Answer 1

Hint: The cell cycle is the sequence of events by which a cell duplicates its genes and synthesizes the other constituents of the cell and then gets divided into two daughter cells.

Complete answer:
Mitosis occurs in four basic phases i.e. prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.
Let us discuss each stage in the options given one by one-

A. Prophase- As we know it is the first stage of mitosis .
In this phase,what is basically happening is chromosomal material condenses to form compact mitotic chromosomes. The assembly of mitotic spindle, the microtubules occurs.
It spends 14% the time required to complete the cell cycle.

B. Metaphase:-So, during this phase the major key events that are happening are-
So basically spindle fibres get attached to the kinetochores of chromosomes.
And then chromosomes are moved to the spindle equator which then gets aligned to both poles.
It takes 4% about the time to complete the cell cycle.

C. Anaphase:- In this phase, the following key events that are occurring:-
Centromeres are splitting and chromatids are separating.
And then chromatids are moving to opposite poles.
This phase spends 0.8% is the cell cycle , hence is the shortest cycle.

D. S-Phase :- S or Synthesis phase is the phase during which DNA synthesis or replication is taking place. It takes about 8 hrs to complete.

Note: Kindly note the time taken by each phase given in the option. The diagrams are inserted to help understand the key features of each phase. Study each phase carefully as the question can come in any form.