An onion root tip cell has 16 chromosomes and its DNA content is 2 C at the G ₁ phase of the cell cycle. What will be the number of chromosomes and the amount of DNA in this cell at the G ₂ phase?

Step-by-step solution

During the S phase of the cell cycle, DNA replication occurs, causing the amount of DNA per cell to double. Therefore, the DNA content increases from 2 C to 4 C . However, the number of chromosomes does not increase because the newly synthesized sister chromatids remain attached at the same centromere. Thus, the chromosome number remains 16 . Since the G ₂ phase directly follows the S phase, the cell will have 16 chromosomes and 4 C DNA. Answer: 16 chromosomes and 4 C DNA