Agroup of cells is assayed for dna content immediately following mitosis and is found to have an average of 8 picograms of dna per nucleus. how many picograms of dna would be found in a nucleus at prophase of mitosis?

16 picograms

Explanation:

According to the given information, the observed cells have 8 picograms of DNA after mitosis. If these cells enter the cell cycle, DNA replication will take place during the S phase of the interphase of the cell cycle. The process of DNA replication would double the DNA content of these cells making it 16 picograms per nucleus.  

The S phase of the interphase is followed by the G2 phase and then prophase during which there is no change in the DNA content of the cells. Hence, each of these cells would have 16 picograms of DNA at the prophase of mitosis.