NEETBotanyCell Cycle and Cell Division
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Cells in the quiescent stage ( G₀ ) of the cell cycle remain metabolically active. Reason (R): Cells in the G₀ stage exit the G₁ phase to enter an inactive stage where they no longer proliferate unless called on to do so. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
- D(A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Correct answer
B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
Step-by-step solution
Cells in the G₀ stage (quiescent stage) are those that do not divide further. They exit the G₁ phase to enter an inactive stage with respect to cell proliferation. However, these cells remain metabolically active and perform their specific functions, proliferating only when required by the organism. Thus, both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are correct statements according to NCERT. The reason for them being metabolically active is not because they exit G₁ to stop proliferating; rather, they must maintain basic life