OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

What happens in 'gap phase two' of the cell cycle?

1. The cell prepares for division by making necessary proteins

2. New cell structures are formed

3. The cell's DNA is replicated

4. Cells divide to form new cells

The correct answer is: The cell prepares for division by making necessary proteins

In gap phase two of the cell cycle, the primary focus is on the preparation for cell division. During this stage, the cell undergoes various processes to ensure it is fully equipped for the upcoming division. This includes synthesizing proteins that are essential for mitosis, doubling its organelles, and completing the last preparations needed for cell division. While it might be easy to confuse these functions with other phases of the cell cycle, gap phase two specifically emphasizes the buildup of the necessary components that will contribute to the successful division of the cell into daughter cells. This phase ensures that the cell is not only large enough but also has all the proteins and structures required for the next phase, which is the actual division of the cell. Options related to the formation of new cell structures or DNA replication pertain to different phases of the cell cycle. For instance, new structures are primarily formed during the synthesis phase, where the cell’s DNA is replicated, and actual cell division happens in the final phase. Therefore, understanding the specific role of gap phase two is essential for grasping the overall cell cycle process.