A hypothetical diploid cell has a DNA content of 2C and a chromosome number of 2N at the G ₁ phase. What will be the DNA content and chromosome number at the G ₂ phase, and in each daughter cell after the completion of the M phase, respectively?

Step-by-step solution

During the G ₁ phase, the cell has a DNA content of 2C and a chromosome number of 2N. In the S phase, DNA replication occurs, causing the amount of DNA per cell to double. Thus, the DNA content becomes 4C. However, there is no increase in the chromosome number, so it remains 2N. These values (4C, 2N) persist through the G ₂ phase. During the M phase (mitosis), equational division occurs. The sister chromatids separate and are distributed equally into two daughter cells. Consequently, the DNA content is halved back