TOPIC 3 : CELL DIVISION

Part A : Multiple Choice Questions

1. In mitosis, the number of chromosome sets in daughter cells will be ____

A. half the number in the parent cell.
B. twice the number in the parent cell.
C. the same as in parent cell.
D. one fourth the number in the parent cell.

2. In eukaryotic cell division, the process of cytoplasmic division is called _____

A. cytokinesis. C. cytoplasmosis.
B. cytomeiosis. D. cytomitosis.

3. As mitosis begins, a condensed chromosome consists of two _________

A. centromeres. C. kinetochores
B. centrioles. D. chromatids.

4. During which phase of the cell cycle does the cell grow?
A. Interphase C. Anaphase
B. Metaphase D. Prophase

5. When a cell stops growing, say due to a shortage of nutrients, this will occur in which
phase of cell cycle?
A. G1 C. G2
B. S D. M

6. It is important that the centromeres do not divide until the end of metaphase because
they _______________
A. contain the gene that control prophase.
B. hold the replicated DNA molecules together.
C. are connected to nuclear membrane.
D. produce the spindle fibres.

7. At what stage does cytokinesis typically occur?

A. Anaphase C. Metaphase
B. Prophase D. Interphase

8. In meiosis, the chromosomes are replicated during _____________

A. interkinesis. C. interphase.
B. prophase II. D. prophase I.

9. At what phase of meiosis are there two cells, each with sister chromatids aligned at the
spindle equator?
A. metaphase II C. Anaphase I
B. metaphase I D. Anaphase II

10. At what phase of meiosis are there two cells, each with separated sister chromatids that
have been moved to opposite poles?
A. Anaphase II C. Telophase I
B. Anaphase I D. Telophase II
Part B : Structured Questions

1. The graph below shows the changes in the quantity of DNA within a cell as it goes
through a series of cell division.

A B
Amount of DNA in cell

4n

2n

Time X Y Z

(a) What type of cell division is occurring during period A?

[1 mark]
_______________________________________________________________________

(b) What type of cell division is occurring during period B?

[1 mark]
_______________________________________________________________________

(c) What event is occurring at the point marked X?

[1 mark]
_______________________________________________________________________

(d) What do we call the cells produced at the point marked Y?

[1 mark]
_______________________________________________________________________
(e) What event is occurring at the point marked Z?
[1 mark]
_______________________________________________________________________

(f) Complete the table below with a tick () if the statement is true or a cross (x) if it is not
true.
[3 marks]

Centromeres Spindle fibers Homologous DNA replication Crossing

are formed over occurs
are split chromosomes occurs at the
pair up together start of the
division

Mitosis

Meiosis I

Meiosis II

(g) If 6 chromosomes are observed in a cell at anaphase II of meiosis, draw to show

chromosomes number in the cell at metaphase I.
[2 marks]

2. (a) Define mitosis

[1 mark]
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(b) List ONE function of mitosis.
[1 mark]
____________________________________________________________________

(c) In which phase in mitosis do the chromosomes line up along the equator?
[1 mark]
____________________________________________________________________

(d) In which phase does the spindle form in mitosis?

[1 mark]
____________________________________________________________________

(e) Define meiosis

[1 mark]
____________________________________________________________________

(f) What is the function of meiosis in human beings?

[1 mark]
____________________________________________________________________

(g) When does crossing over occur?

[1 mark]
____________________________________________________________________

(h) Why do the chromosomes in a homologous pair differ from one another?
[1 mark]
____________________________________________________________________

(i) Briefly describe the chromosomal behavior in the following stages in meiosis:

(i) Anaphase I :_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________
 (ii) Anaphase II :_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

3. (a) FIGURE 1 below shows two cells in the process of division.

FIGURE 1

(i) Name the structures labeled A, B and C.

[3 marks]
A : _______________________________________________________________
B : _______________________________________________________________
C : _______________________________________________________________

(ii) Differentiate the two stages in Cell 1 and Cell 2.

[2 marks]
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

(iii) Differentiate cytokinesis in animal cell and plant cells.

[2 marks]
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
 (b) FIGURE 2 below show different stages in the mitotic division of a cell.

FIGURE 2
(i) Write the letters in the order in which these stages occur.
[1 mark]
____________________________________________________________________

(ii) How many pairs of chromosomes are there in the cell?

[1 mark]
____________________________________________________________________

(iii) What is the diploid number of chromosomes in these cells?

[1 mark]
____________________________________________________________________

Part C : Essay Questions

1. Describe the interphase stage in the cell cycle.

[10 marks]

2. List down the significant differences between mitosis and meiosis.

[10 marks]