AQA · A-Level · Biology

    Course version: 7402 · Version from Sept 2016

    Meiosis is covered in section 3.4.3 Students should be able to: recognise…

    Full specification wording

    All cells arise from other cells: Meiosis is covered in section 3.4.3 Students should be able to: recognise the stages of the cell cycle: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase (including cytokinesis) explain the appearance of cells in each stage of mitosis.

    Recognition questions give you a photomicrograph or a drawing and ask for the stage plus a reason taken from what is visible.

    Checked against the AQA 7402 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 8 of 14
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Recognition questions give you a photomicrograph or a drawing and ask for the stage plus a reason taken from what is visible. Interphase: no individual chromosomes visible, a distinct nucleus with a nucleolus. Prophase: chromosomes visible as dark thickened threads scattered through the cell, with the nuclear envelope disappearing. Metaphase: chromosomes arranged in a single line across the middle of the cell. Anaphase: two separate groups of V shaped chromatids moving towards opposite poles with a clear gap between them. Telophase: two dense groups of chromosomes at the poles, beginning to uncoil, with a new nuclear envelope forming and a cleavage furrow or cell plate appearing. The explanation must give the cause of the appearance, not restate it: anaphase, because the chromatids have been pulled to opposite poles by the shortening spindle fibres.

    What earns the marks

    • Naming the stage shown, using the mitotic name and not a meiotic one.
    • The visible evidence, for example chromosomes aligned along the equator, or two groups of chromatids at opposite poles.
    • Explaining the appearance by the underlying event, such as spindle fibres shortening and pulling chromatids apart.
    • Identifying a cell containing two nuclei as one in which cytokinesis has been prevented after telophase.
    • Recognising interphase from an intact nucleus with no visible individual chromosomes.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Giving a meiotic name such as anaphase I for a mitotic figure, which mark schemes reject.

    • Explaining the appearance by restating it, for example anaphase because it looks like anaphase.

    • Calling the separating structures homologous chromosomes instead of chromatids.

    • Confusing metaphase with anaphase when the chromatids have only just begun to move apart.

    • Describing the whole of mitosis when the question asks only for the stage shown and why.

    Exam tips

    • Answer in two parts, stage then cause, because the two halves usually carry a mark each.
    • Check the stem for the word mitosis before writing any stage name, and never add a Roman numeral.
    • Use the number of visible groups of chromosomes as your first clue: none, scattered, one line, two moving groups, two settled groups.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the All cells arise from other cells: Meiosis is covered in section 3.4.3 Students should be able to: recognise the stages of the cell cycle: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase (including cytokinesis) explain the appearance of cells in each stage of mitosis. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which stage of the cell cycle is the period of growth and DNA replication before mitosis?

    Listen

    Recognition questions give you a photomicrograph or a drawing and ask for the stage plus a reason taken from what is visible. Interphase: no individual chromosomes visible, a distinct nucleus with a nucleolus. Prophase: chromosomes visible as dark thickened threads scattered through the cell, with the nuclear envelope disappearing. Metaphase: chromosomes arranged in a single line across the middle of the cell. Anaphase: two separate groups of V shaped chromatids moving towards opposite poles with a clear gap between them. Telophase: two dense groups of chromosomes at the poles, beginning to uncoil, with a new nuclear envelope forming and a cleavage furrow or cell plate appearing. The explanation must give the cause of the appearance, not restate it: anaphase, because the chromatids have been pulled to opposite poles by the shortening spindle fibres. A strong answer earns marks for these points. naming the stage shown, using the mitotic name and not a meiotic one. the visible evidence, for example chromosomes aligned along the equator, or two groups of chromatids at opposite poles. explaining the appearance by the underlying event, such as spindle fibres shortening and pulling chromatids apart. identifying a cell containing two nuclei as one in which cytokinesis has been prevented after telophase. Exam tip: Answer in two parts, stage then cause, because the two halves usually carry a mark each.

    See it

    A vertical flowchart of six boxes linked by arrows in sequence. The first box is interphase, with an intact nucleus and no individual chromosomes visible. An arrow leads to prophase, with dark thickened threads scattered through the cell and the nuclear envelope disappearing. An arrow leads to metaphase, with chromosomes arranged in a single line across the middle of the cell. An arrow leads to anaphase, with two groups of V shaped chromatids moving towards opposite poles. An arrow leads to telophase, with two dense groups of chromosomes at the poles and a new nuclear envelope forming. A final arrow leads to cytokinesis, with a cleavage furrow or cell plate appearing.
    The sequence of cell cycle stages from interphase to cytokinesis with the visible appearance of cells in each stage.

    Put it in order

    Put these steps in the order they happen.

    1. 1. Metaphase: chromosomes in a single line across the middle
    2. 2. Prophase: dark thickened threads scattered, nuclear envelope disappearing
    3. 3. Interphase: intact nucleus, no individual chromosomes visible
    4. 4. Cytokinesis: cleavage furrow or cell plate
    5. 5. Telophase: two dense groups at poles, new nuclear envelope forming
    6. 6. Anaphase: two groups of V shaped chromatids moving to opposite poles

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    interphase

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    anaphase

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    telophase

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    metaphase

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    interphase
    A stage with no individual chromosomes visible and a distinct nucleus with a nucleolus.
    anaphase
    Two separate groups of V shaped chromatids moving towards opposite poles with a clear gap between them.
    telophase
    Two dense groups of chromosomes at the poles, beginning to uncoil, with a new nuclear envelope forming and a cleavage furrow or cell plate appearing.
    metaphase
    Chromosomes arranged in a single line across the middle of the cell.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A vertical flowchart of six boxes linked by arrows in sequence. The first box is interphase, with an intact nucleus and no individual chromosomes visible. An arrow leads to prophase, with dark thickened threads scattered through the cell and the nuclear envelope disappearing. An arrow leads to metaphase, with chromosomes arranged in a single line across the middle of the cell. An arrow leads to anaphase, with two groups of V shaped chromatids moving towards opposite poles. An arrow leads to telophase, with two dense groups of chromosomes at the poles and a new nuclear envelope forming. A final arrow leads to cytokinesis, with a cleavage furrow or cell plate appearing.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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