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Cell division practice

Cell division: practice with answers

You have studied the stages and now want to test the counting and explaining.

These eight questions follow the chapter from stage order to variation. Answer each on paper before you open the explanation.

The lessons are in cell division. Record slips in the mistake log and paper-error review.

Questions

1. State the stage of mitosis in which sister chromatids separate. (1 mark)

Answer

Anaphase. The centromeres divide and the chromatids move to opposite poles.

2. A diagram shows chromosomes in a line across the middle of a cell. Name the stage and describe one other feature you would expect. (2 marks)

Answer

Metaphase. Spindle fibres are attached to the centromeres, and the nuclear membrane is absent.

3. A cell with 10 chromosomes divides by mitosis. State the number of chromosomes in each daughter cell and at anaphase. (2 marks)

Answer

Each daughter cell has 10 chromosomes. At anaphase the cell briefly holds 20, because each chromatid is counted as a chromosome.

4. Explain why mitosis gives daughter cells identical to the parent. (2 marks)

Answer

DNA replicates in interphase, and the two copies of each chromosome separate equally in anaphase. Each daughter cell receives one complete copy, so the genetic information is the same.

5. State what separates in meiosis I and what separates in meiosis II. (2 marks)

Answer

Meiosis I separates homologous chromosomes. Meiosis II separates sister chromatids.

6. A cell has 16 chromosomes. State the number in each cell at the end of meiosis II and the number of cells produced. (2 marks)

Answer

Each cell has 8 chromosomes, and 4 cells are produced.

7. A graph shows DNA amount per cell: 6, then 12, then 6, then 3 units. Name the process and explain the falls. (3 marks)

Answer

The process is meiosis.

The rise is DNA replication. The fall from 12 to 6 is the end of meiosis I, and the fall from 6 to 3 is the end of meiosis II. Two falls mean two divisions.

8. A cell has 5 pairs of homologous chromosomes. Calculate the gamete combinations from independent assortment and name one other source of variation. (3 marks)

Answer

Combinations = 2⁵ = 32. Another source is crossing over in prophase I, where sections of chromatids are exchanged, or random fertilisation.

If you got these wrong

Build a timed mix with the timed original practice session builder. If you would like a teacher to check your answers, see online one-to-one Biology tuition.

Common questions

How should I use this practice set?

Write each answer on paper before opening the explanation. For counting questions, draw the two-row table even when you think you know the answer, because the table catches errors.

Are these questions from SPM papers?

No. They are original questions written for this site in the KSSM style. Use past papers from your school alongside them.

What if I get the stage order right but lose marks on explanation?

Check that each sentence has a stage, a process and an effect. Answers that only name the stage earn fewer marks.

How many times should I repeat the set?

Redo only the questions you marked wrong, after a few days, and write the answer from memory first.

If the counting and variation questions keep going wrong, one-to-one Biology lessons let a teacher check your tables and sentences on fresh examples.

  • Online one-to-one lessons for your child with an experienced teacher.
  • Your first class is a one-hour trial, from RM50. The fee is agreed before you book.
  • Happy with the teacher? Continue with lessons of about 1.5 hours. If not, ask for another teacher.