Colchicine is a mitotic poison because it

Options

A. Causes splitting up of chromosomes
B. Inhibits the formation of mitotic spindle
C. Stops the replication of chromosomes
D. Agglutinates the chromosomes

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Mitotic Poisons**:
- A mitotic poison is a chemical compound that disrupts the process of cell division, particularly affecting cells that are actively dividing. These poisons can lead to cell death or prevent proper cell division.

2. **Identifying Colchicine**:
- Colchicine is a well-known mitotic poison. It is classified as an anti-mitotic drug, which means it interferes with the normal process of mitosis.

3. **Mechanism of Action**:
- Colchicine works by binding to soluble tubulin, a protein that is a building block of microtubules. This binding forms a complex that prevents the normal polymerization of tubulin into microtubules.

4. **Effect on Microtubules**:
- Microtubules are essential for the formation of the mitotic spindle, which is crucial for separating chromosomes during cell division. By inhibiting the formation of microtubules, colchicine effectively prevents the mitotic spindle from forming.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that colchicine is a mitotic poison because it inhibits the formation of the mitotic spindle.

**Final Answer**: Colchicine is a mitotic poison because it inhibits the formation of the mitotic spindle.

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