Cell Division

Question 1

What are chromosomes?

Answer 1

A really long strand or molecule of coiled up DNA
A cell nucleus contains chromosomes of DNA molecules
Each chromosome carries a large number of genes
In body cells chromosomes are normally in pairs
Humans have 46 in 23 pairs

Question 2

What are the stages of the cell cycle?

Answer 2

Interphase - cell grows and prepares for division
Mitosis - the nucleus divides
Cell division - the cell divides into 2 identical daughter cells

Question 3

What is a gene?

Answer 3

A short section of DNA which controls characteristics

Question 4

What is mitosis?

What are the stages?

Answer 4

A type of cell division
Stage 1 growth as organelles increase in number and DNA replicates
Stage 2 mitosis - chromosomes pull to opposite sides and then nucleus splits
Stage 3 cell membrane and cytoplasm divide and two identical daughter cells are formed

Question 5

What is a nucleus?

Answer 5

Where a cells genetic information is found

Question 6

What is DNA?

Answer 6

A unique chemical molecule

Question 7

Why is cell specialisation important for the development of healthy baby from a fertilised egg?

Answer 7

By time the baby is born most of its cells are already differentiated to do a particular job