A diploid animal cell in the G 1 phase of the cell cycle has 16 chromosomes and an initial amount of DNA denoted as 2C. Which of the following correctly represents the number of chromosomes, the amount of DNA, and the number of centrosomes in this cell during the G 2 phase?

Step-by-step solution

During the S phase of the cell cycle, DNA replication occurs, causing the amount of DNA to double. Therefore, the initial DNA amount of 2C in the G 1 phase increases to 4C by the G 2 phase. However, there is no increase in the chromosome number during the S phase. A cell that has 16 chromosomes in G 1 will still have exactly 16 chromosomes in G 2 (though each chromosome now consists of two sister chromatids). Additionally, in animal cells, the centrosome (containing the centrioles) duplicates in the cytoplasm durin