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Year 10
AQA
Higher

The cell cycle and cell division: mitosis

I can describe the phases of the cell cycle including mitosis.

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New
New
Year 10
AQA
Higher

The cell cycle and cell division: mitosis

I can describe the phases of the cell cycle including mitosis.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Most cells in multicellular organisms go through different phases that are part of a cell cycle.
  2. The main phases of the cell cycle are interphase and mitosis.
  3. During cell interphase, each chromosome is copied, sub-cellular structures are copied.
  4. During mitosis, chromosome copies line up along the middle of the cell and the nucleus divides.
  5. After division, the two new cells both have a copy of the same chromosomes.

Common misconception

Chromosomes are halved when the cell splits.

Slides repeatedly address the concept that chromosomes are copied.

Keywords

  • Cell cycle - The process by which cells divide; this involves a specific set of phases.

  • Mitosis - A type of cell division that produces genetically identical cells.

  • Nucleus - A sub-cellular structure that contains the genetic material (DNA); controls the cell activities.

  • Chromosomes - Tightly coiled strands of DNA that carry the genetic material.

You can model the stages of the cell cycle using pipe cleaners to show the chromosomes replicating.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In an animal cell which sub-cellular structure holds the genetic material?
cytoplasm
Correct answer: nucleus
ribosome
mitochondria
Q2.
DNA is wound up tightly to form which structures?
ribosomes
chloroplasts
Correct answer: chromosomes
cell membrane
Q3.
Match the keyword to its definition
Correct Answer:cell cycle,a series of phases a cell undergoes in order to divide

a series of phases a cell undergoes in order to divide

Correct Answer:cytoplasm,a jelly-like liquid where many chemical reactions occur

a jelly-like liquid where many chemical reactions occur

Correct Answer:cell membrane,surrounds the cell and controls what can enter and exit it

surrounds the cell and controls what can enter and exit it

Q4.
Cell division that produces genetically identical cells is called?
fertilisation
reproduction
Correct answer: mitosis
meiosis
Q5.
Arrange these in ascending size order from smallest to largest.
1 - DNA
2 - chromosome
3 - nucleus
4 - cell
5 - tissue
Q6.
Why does mitosis take place in multicellular organisms?
reproduction
Correct answer: growth
Correct answer: repair

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In animals what type of cell division produces genetically identical cells?
Correct Answer: mitosis
Q2.
Which of the following does not involve mitosis?
growth in multicellular organisms
Correct answer: sexual reproduction in multicellular organisms
repair of tissues in multicellular organisms
Q3.
Put these stages in order to show what happens during the cell cycle.
1 - cell growth
2 - mitosis: nucelar division
3 - division of cell membrane and cytoplasm
Q4.
What happens during cell growth?
nucleus divides
chromosomes lines up along the middle of the cell
Correct answer: DNA and sub-cellular structures are copied
two genetically identical cells are formed
Q5.
Which statements describe what happens during the second stage of the cell cycle.
Correct answer: Chromosomes line up along the middle of the cell.
The cytoplasm and cell membrane divide.
Correct answer: The nucleus begins to divide.
DNA and sub-cellular structures are copied.
Q6.
Which statements about the cell cycle are true?
Correct answer: Two genetically identical daughter cells are produced.
Correct answer: After cell growth the cell has twice the amount of DNA.
Daughter cells have different chromosomes to the parent cell.
Chromosomes are pulled to each end of the cell and then line up in the middle.