cells + control // mitosis

Question 1

List the names and order of the stages of the cell cycle, including mitosis.

Answer 1

Interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis

Question 2

Describe what happens in each stage of the cell cycle, including mitosis.

Answer 2

Interphase - The cell spends most of its life in this phase. The DNA in chromosomes copies itself ready for mitosis
Prophase - The DNA in chromosomes and their copies condenses to become more visible. The membrane around the nucleus disappears.
Metaphase - Chromosomes and their copies line up in the middle of the cell.
Anaphase - Chromosomes and their copies are pulled to different ends of the cell.
Telophase - New membranes form around the chromosomes at each end of the cell.
Cytokinesis - The cell membrane pinches in and eventually divides into two daughter cells.

Question 3

Describe why mitosis is important for an organism.

Answer 3

growth, repair, asexual reproduction

Question 4

Explain why organisms may rely on asexual reproduction.

Answer 4

Asexual reproduction occurs when an organism makes more of itself without exchanging genetic information with another organism through sex. This is beneficial to the population because genetically diverse populations have a higher chance of withstanding survival challenges such as disease and environmental changes.

Question 5

Describe how mitosis produces genetically identical, diploid cells.

Answer 5

Mitosis is used to produce daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cells. The cell copies - or ‘replicates’ - its chromosomes, and then splits the copied chromosomes equally to make sure that each daughter cell has a full set.

Question 6

Describe how cancers grow.

Answer 6

When a cell becomes cancerous, it begins to grow and divide uncontrollably. New cells are produced - even if the body does not need them.