A cell at the G₁ phase of its cell cycle has 14 chromosomes and 20 pg of DNA. What will be the number of chromosomes and the amount of DNA in the same cell at the G₂ phase?

Step-by-step solution

During the cell cycle, the G₁ phase is followed by the S phase and then the G₂ phase. In the S (synthesis) phase, DNA replication occurs. As a result, the amount of DNA per cell doubles. Therefore, the initial 20 pg of DNA in the G₁ phase will become 40 pg by the G₂ phase. However, during the S phase, there is no increase in the chromosome number because the newly synthesized sister chromatids remain attached at the same centromere. Thus, the cell will still have 14 chromosomes in the G₂ phase. Hence, the cell at t