NURS 231 Module 6 Exam Pack 2026 | Verified
Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales
| Ultimate REAL for Exam Success
• Define proliferation and differentiation:
Correct answer✓✓Proliferation, a process of cell division, is an
adaptive process for new cell growth to replace old cells or when additional
cells are needed. Differentiation is the process in which cells become more
specialized with each mitotic division.
• What are the 3 main groups of cells that proliferate?
Correct answer✓✓(1) well-differentiated neurons and cells of skeletal
and cardiac muscles that rarely divide and reproduce; (2) progenitor or
parent cells that continue to divide and reproduce, like blood, skin, and
liver cells; (3) undifferentiated stem cells that can enter the cell cycle and
produce large number of progenitor cells if needed.
• What are progenitor cells?
Correct answer✓✓The more specialized cells are unable to divide, so
these cell populations rely on progenitor or parent cells of the same lineage
that have not yet differentiated to the extent that they have lost their
ability to divide. They have enough differentiation so the daughter cells are
limited to the same cell line, but not quite differentiated enough to prohibit
active proliferation.
• What are the four phases of the cell cycle?
Correct answer✓✓G1 phase (gap 1), S phase (synthesis of DNA), G2
phase (gap 2), and M phase (mitosis).
• What occurs during the G1 phase of the cell cycle?
Correct answer✓✓The cell grows and carries out normal metabolic
, functions. It also synthesizes proteins and organelles needed for DNA
replication.
• What occurs during the S phase?
Correct answer✓✓DNA synthesis and replication occur, resulting in
two identical copies of each chromosome (sister chromatids).
• What occurs during the G2 phase?
Correct answer✓✓The cell continues to grow and prepares for mitosis
by synthesizing proteins necessary for chromosome segregation and cell
division.
• What occurs during the M phase?
Correct answer✓✓Mitosis (nuclear division) and cytokinesis
(cytoplasmic division) occur, producing two identical daughter cells.
• What is the G0 phase?
Correct answer✓✓A resting state where cells have exited the cell
cycle and are not actively dividing. Some cells remain here permanently
(e.g., neurons), while others can re-enter the cycle when stimulated.
• What are checkpoints in the cell cycle?
Correct answer✓✓Control mechanisms that ensure proper
progression through the cell cycle by monitoring accuracy of DNA
replication and repair before allowing the cell to proceed to the next phase.
• What is the G1/S checkpoint?
Correct answer✓✓The most important checkpoint; it checks for DNA
damage and adequate cell size before allowing entry into S phase. Also
called the restriction point.
• What is the G2/M checkpoint?
Correct answer✓✓Checks for complete DNA replication and any DNA
damage before allowing the cell to enter mitosis.
, • What is the M checkpoint (spindle checkpoint)?
Correct answer✓✓Occurs during metaphase; ensures all
chromosomes are properly attached to the spindle fibers before anaphase
begins.
• What are cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)?
Correct answer✓✓Regulatory proteins that control cell cycle
progression. Cyclins activate CDKs, which then phosphorylate target
proteins to drive the cell cycle forward.
• What is the role of p53 in the cell cycle?
Correct answer✓✓A tumor suppressor protein that acts at the G1/S
checkpoint. It can halt the cell cycle to allow DNA repair or induce apoptosis
if damage is irreparable.
• What is apoptosis?
Correct answer✓✓Programmed cell death; a controlled, energy-
dependent process that eliminates damaged, unwanted, or dangerous cells
without causing inflammation.
• What is necrosis?
Correct answer✓✓Unprogrammed cell death resulting from injury,
infection, or lack of blood supply; it triggers inflammation and can damage
surrounding tissues.
• What are the key differences between apoptosis and necrosis?
Correct answer✓✓Apoptosis is controlled, energy-dependent, and
anti-inflammatory; necrosis is uncontrolled, passive, and pro-inflammatory.
Apoptosis involves cell shrinkage and membrane blebbing; necrosis
involves cell swelling and membrane rupture.
• What is hypertrophy?
Correct answer✓✓An increase in cell size, leading to an increase in
organ size. Occurs in cells that cannot divide, such as cardiac and skeletal
muscle.
Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales
| Ultimate REAL for Exam Success
• Define proliferation and differentiation:
Correct answer✓✓Proliferation, a process of cell division, is an
adaptive process for new cell growth to replace old cells or when additional
cells are needed. Differentiation is the process in which cells become more
specialized with each mitotic division.
• What are the 3 main groups of cells that proliferate?
Correct answer✓✓(1) well-differentiated neurons and cells of skeletal
and cardiac muscles that rarely divide and reproduce; (2) progenitor or
parent cells that continue to divide and reproduce, like blood, skin, and
liver cells; (3) undifferentiated stem cells that can enter the cell cycle and
produce large number of progenitor cells if needed.
• What are progenitor cells?
Correct answer✓✓The more specialized cells are unable to divide, so
these cell populations rely on progenitor or parent cells of the same lineage
that have not yet differentiated to the extent that they have lost their
ability to divide. They have enough differentiation so the daughter cells are
limited to the same cell line, but not quite differentiated enough to prohibit
active proliferation.
• What are the four phases of the cell cycle?
Correct answer✓✓G1 phase (gap 1), S phase (synthesis of DNA), G2
phase (gap 2), and M phase (mitosis).
• What occurs during the G1 phase of the cell cycle?
Correct answer✓✓The cell grows and carries out normal metabolic
, functions. It also synthesizes proteins and organelles needed for DNA
replication.
• What occurs during the S phase?
Correct answer✓✓DNA synthesis and replication occur, resulting in
two identical copies of each chromosome (sister chromatids).
• What occurs during the G2 phase?
Correct answer✓✓The cell continues to grow and prepares for mitosis
by synthesizing proteins necessary for chromosome segregation and cell
division.
• What occurs during the M phase?
Correct answer✓✓Mitosis (nuclear division) and cytokinesis
(cytoplasmic division) occur, producing two identical daughter cells.
• What is the G0 phase?
Correct answer✓✓A resting state where cells have exited the cell
cycle and are not actively dividing. Some cells remain here permanently
(e.g., neurons), while others can re-enter the cycle when stimulated.
• What are checkpoints in the cell cycle?
Correct answer✓✓Control mechanisms that ensure proper
progression through the cell cycle by monitoring accuracy of DNA
replication and repair before allowing the cell to proceed to the next phase.
• What is the G1/S checkpoint?
Correct answer✓✓The most important checkpoint; it checks for DNA
damage and adequate cell size before allowing entry into S phase. Also
called the restriction point.
• What is the G2/M checkpoint?
Correct answer✓✓Checks for complete DNA replication and any DNA
damage before allowing the cell to enter mitosis.
, • What is the M checkpoint (spindle checkpoint)?
Correct answer✓✓Occurs during metaphase; ensures all
chromosomes are properly attached to the spindle fibers before anaphase
begins.
• What are cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)?
Correct answer✓✓Regulatory proteins that control cell cycle
progression. Cyclins activate CDKs, which then phosphorylate target
proteins to drive the cell cycle forward.
• What is the role of p53 in the cell cycle?
Correct answer✓✓A tumor suppressor protein that acts at the G1/S
checkpoint. It can halt the cell cycle to allow DNA repair or induce apoptosis
if damage is irreparable.
• What is apoptosis?
Correct answer✓✓Programmed cell death; a controlled, energy-
dependent process that eliminates damaged, unwanted, or dangerous cells
without causing inflammation.
• What is necrosis?
Correct answer✓✓Unprogrammed cell death resulting from injury,
infection, or lack of blood supply; it triggers inflammation and can damage
surrounding tissues.
• What are the key differences between apoptosis and necrosis?
Correct answer✓✓Apoptosis is controlled, energy-dependent, and
anti-inflammatory; necrosis is uncontrolled, passive, and pro-inflammatory.
Apoptosis involves cell shrinkage and membrane blebbing; necrosis
involves cell swelling and membrane rupture.
• What is hypertrophy?
Correct answer✓✓An increase in cell size, leading to an increase in
organ size. Occurs in cells that cannot divide, such as cardiac and skeletal
muscle.
