A biologist examines a series of cells and counts 160 cells in interphase, 20 cells in prophase, 6 cells in prometaphase, 2 cells in metaphase, 7 cells in anaphase, and 5 cells in telophase. If the complete cell cycle requires 24 hours, what is the average duration of the m phase in these cells

Cell cycle refers to a series of events leading to the duplication of the DNA followed by the formation of two daughter cells from a cell. It consists of the interphase, mitotic phase (M phase) and the cytokinesis. M phase is divided into the prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.

The average division of the M phase can be calculated by adding the total number of hours spent in each stage of mitosis. To calculate the time reqired by each phase, the proportion of cells in the stage should be multiplied by 24 hours.

Proportion of cells in each stage of mitosis can be calculated by dividing the number of cells in the stage by the total number of cells. It is as follows-

Proportion of cells in interphase - 160/200 = 0.80 and the average duration is 0.80 x 24 = 19.2 hrs.

Proportion of cells in prophase - 20 / 200 = 0.10 and the average duration is 0.10 x 24 = 2.4 hrs.

Proportion of cells in prometaphase - 6/200 = 0.03 and the average duration is 0.03 x 24 = 0.72 hrs.

Proportion of cells in metaphase - 2/200 = 0.01 and the average duration is 0.01 x 24 = 0.24 hrs.

Proportion of cells in anaphase-7/200 = 0.035 and the average duration is 0.035 x 24 = 0.84 hrs.

Proportion of cells in telophase - 5/200 = 0.025 and the average duration is 0.025 x 24 = 0.12 hrs.

If the average duration of interphase is 19.2 hrs, the average duration of M phase can be calculated by subtracting it from the 24 hours. It is given by 24-19.2 = 4.8 hours.

Therefore, the average duration of M phase is 4.8 hrs.