Question

you are examining a cell under the microscope that is undergoing cell division and cannot find any asters. what else would be absent in this cell? a) a cell plate b) centrosomes c) a spindle d) a cleavage furrow e) chromosomes

Explanation:

Asters are formed from centrosomes. In plant cells, there are no centrosomes (and thus no asters). Plant cells also do not have a cleavage furrow (animal cells do). But the key here is the relationship between asters and centrosomes. Since asters are absent (likely a plant cell), centrosomes (which give rise to asters in animal cells) would also be absent. A cell plate is present in plant cells (during cytokinesis), a spindle is present in both plant and animal cells (formed differently - plant cells form spindle without centrosomes/asters), and chromosomes are present in all dividing cells.

Answer:

B. centrosomes