Practise 30 exam-style questions on Mitosis and the cell cycle for AQA GCSE Biology. Write your answer as you would in the exam and get it marked in seconds against the mark scheme, point by point, with an AI tutor on hand if you get stuck.
30 questions
2–4 marks each
Instant marking
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20 questions, marked as you go
Sample questions with model answers
Here are 4 of the questions in this topic, each with a model answer, an explanation of why it earns the marks and the mark scheme an examiner would use.
Question 1
2 marks
A chromosome pictured during mitosis shows sister chromatids attached at a constricted region. Name this region and explain its role.
Model answer
The region is the centromere. It holds sister chromatids together and is the attachment point for spindle fibres during anaphase.
Explanation
The centromere is the constricted region that binds sister chromatids and provides the site where spindle microtubules attach to separate chromatids during mitosis.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Centromere
1 mark
Holds sister chromatids together and is where spindle fibres attach to pull chromatids apart
Question 2
3 marks
A student observes a plant cell under a microscope and sees chromosomes aligned at the cell centre with spindle fibres attached. Which stage of mitosis is this and what is about to happen next?
Model answer
This is metaphase. Next, the spindle fibres will shorten and sister chromatids will be pulled apart (anaphase) to opposite poles.
Explanation
Chromosomes aligned at the equator with attached spindle fibres identifies metaphase. The next event is anaphase when the chromatids separate and move to opposite poles.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Metaphase
1 mark
Spindle fibres pull sister chromatids apart
1 mark
Chromatids move to opposite poles (anaphase)
Question 3
3 marks
Explain how mitosis contributes to asexual reproduction in single-celled organisms.
Model answer
Single-celled organisms divide by mitosis to produce two genetically identical cells (binary fission). Mitosis ensures chromosome number maintained and each new cell receives a full genome enabling reproduction without gametes.
Explanation
In asexual reproduction mitosis allows a single cell to split into two identical offspring with the same chromosome number and genetic information as the parent.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Cells divide by mitosis to produce new individuals (binary fission)
1 mark
Daughter cells are genetically identical to parent
1 mark
Mitosis ensures full genome passed to each daughter so reproduction occurs without gametes
Question 4
4 marks
Describe briefly how mitosis differs from meiosis in terms of (a) number of cell divisions and (b) genetic identity of daughter cells.
Model answer
Mitosis: one cell division producing two daughter cells that are genetically identical. Meiosis: two cell divisions producing four daughter cells that are genetically different (and haploid).
Explanation
Mitosis divides once to give two identical diploid cells; meiosis divides twice to make four genetically different haploid gametes due to recombination and segregation.
