Figure 2 shows the time taken to complete different stages of the cell cycle.
Which stage of the cell cycle takes the most time?
Answer options:
A.
A
B.
B
C.
C
How to approach this question
Look at the pie chart. A pie chart represents a whole (100% of the time). The size of each slice (sector) is proportional to the value it represents. Identify the largest slice to find the stage that takes the most time.
Full Answer
C.C✓ Correct
C
The pie chart in Figure 2 represents the total time for one cell cycle. The area of each sector is proportional to the duration of that stage. Stage C clearly occupies the largest area of the circle, indicating that it is the longest stage. This corresponds to interphase, where the cell grows and replicates its DNA, which takes up the majority of the cell cycle.
Common mistakes
✗ Misinterpreting the size of the segments.\n✗ Confusing the longest stage with the stage of actual division (mitosis), which is typically shorter than the growth phase.
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