Past Mock Exam Questions

Question 1

State one function of mitosis in multicellular organisms

1/3

Answer 1

Mitosis is responsible for growth and repair of cells

Mitosis produces new cells

Mitosis is essential to replace old and damaged cells

Question 2

State one function of meiosis in multicellular organisms

1/2

Answer 2

It allows for sexual reproduction involving gametes while still maintaining the parental chromosome number

It allows for new combinations of genes to be formed which give rise to new variations among organisms

Question 3

Describe the nucleus at the end of prophase

2/5

Answer 3

Chromosomes become visible as double-stranded structures which are held together by a centromere

These two strands have identical genes

The nucleolus disappears

Spindle fibres appear and form a spindle

The nuclear membrane starts to break down

Question 4

Explain why the chromosomes begin to move to opposite ends of the cell during anaphase

Answer 4

The chromosomes move apart because the spindle fibres contract resulting in the splitting of the centromere

Question 5

Name the final stage of mitosis

Answer 5

Telophase

Question 6

Explain the link between mitosis and cancer

2

Answer 6

Cancer is a group of disorders in which certain cells lose their ability to control both the rate of mitosis and the number of times mitosis takes place

A cell that loses the ability to control its rate of mitosis will result in the formation of a mass of cells called a tumour which can be benign or malignant

Question 7

State one possible cause of cancer

1/6

Answer 7

Cigarette smoke 
Asbestos fibres 
Dioxins 
Pesticides 
Ultraviolet radiation 
Some viruses

Question 8

Name the two stages of the cell cycle

Answer 8

Interphase

Mitosis (or meiosis)

Question 9

State any one location in a plant where meiosis occurs

Answer 9

Pollen grain or ovule

Question 10

Name the phase that occurs before telophase

Answer 10

Anaphase

Question 11

Describe what happens to the chromosomes during telophase

2

Answer 11

The chromosomes are pulled apart by the contraction of the spindle fibres

One chromosome from each double-stranded chromosome is pulled to opposite poles of the cell

Question 12

What name is given to the group of disorders that result from the uncontrolled multiplication of cells?

Answer 12

Cancer

Question 13

Explain what is meant by the term cell continuity

Answer 13

Cell continuity means that all cells develop from pre-existing cells

Question 14

Name the stage of mitosis during which the chromatin begins to condense

Answer 14

Prophase

Question 15

What name is given to the part of the cell cycle where no division is taking place?

Answer 15

Interphase

Question 16

Towards the end of mitosis, in what type of cell does a cleavage furrow form?

Answer 16

Animal

Question 17

Name the group of disorders that arise if normal regulation of mitosis is lost

Answer 17

Cancer

Question 18

Where is the equator of a cell?

2

Answer 18

The equator is the middle of the cell

The chromosomes line up across the equator of a cell during metaphase

Question 19

Explain what is meant by the term diploid

Answer 19

A diploid cell has two sets of chromosomes i.e. it has two of each type of chromosome in the nucleus

Question 20

In what group of organisms does mitosis normally result in growth

Answer 20

Multicellular

Question 21

Explain under what circumstances mitosis can result in cancer developing
(2)

Answer 21

When a cell loses it’s ability to control the rate of mitosis

When a cell loses it’s ability to control the number of times mitosis takes place

Question 22

Give one location where mitosis occurs in flowering plants

Answer 22

Roots
Stem

Anywhere where growth or repair can occur

Question 23

What is the name given to the stage of mitosis where the chromosomes are lined along the equator?

Answer 23

Metaphase

Question 24

How would you draw anaphase?

Answer 24

Four spindle fibres are connected to each pole

Each spindle fibre is connected to a chromosome which has just been pulled apart

Question 25

What role does the spindle fibres have during anaphase?

Answer 25

The spindle fibres contract to split the chromosomes and pull them apart to opposite poles of a cell

Question 26

What is the diploid number of a cell undergoing metaphase?

Answer 26

4

Question 27

Distinguish between haploid and diploid

Answer 27

Diploid = A cell with two sets of chromosomes (2n), two of each type of chromosome in the nucleus

Haploid = A cell with one set of chromosomes (n), one of each type of chromosome in the nucleus