AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Cell division by mitosis is important in the growth and development of…
Full specification wording
Mitosis and the cell cycle: Cell division by mitosis is important in the growth and development of multicellular organisms.
Multicellular organisms grow and develop because cells divide by mitosis to produce more cells.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 8 of 9
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Multicellular organisms grow and develop because cells divide by mitosis to produce more cells. Each division gives two genetically identical daughter cells, so the new cells have the same instructions as the parent. This allows an organism to increase its cell number, build new tissues and replace worn-out or damaged cells. In development, mitosis produces the many cells needed to form specialised tissues and organs, and it also supports repair, for example healing a cut or replacing skin cells. Because the DNA is copied accurately, the organism's cells keep the same chromosome number and the same alleles, which is essential for normal functioning.
What earns the marks
- State that mitosis produces genetically identical daughter cells.
- Explain that increasing cell number allows growth of multicellular organisms.
- Describe how mitosis provides new cells for development of tissues and organs.
- Give an example of repair, such as replacing skin cells or healing a wound.
- Link genetic identity to the correct functioning of new cells.
- Recognise that mitosis maintains the chromosome number in body cells.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying mitosis produces gametes.
Put it right: Mitosis produces body cells, while meiosis produces gametes.
Thinking growth is only about cell enlargement.
Put it right: Growth also involves an increase in cell number by mitosis.
Believing daughter cells are genetically different.
Put it right: Mitosis produces genetically identical cells.
Exam tips
- Use the phrase 'genetically identical' when explaining the importance of mitosis.
- Give a named example of repair, such as skin healing, to support your answer.
- Distinguish clearly between growth (more cells) and development (specialised tissues and organs).
Try the lesson
The start of the Mitosis and the cell cycle: Cell division by mitosis is important in the growth and development of multicellular organisms. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Why is cell division by mitosis important in multicellular organisms?
Listen
Multicellular organisms grow and develop because cells divide by mitosis to produce more cells. Each division gives two genetically identical daughter cells, so the new cells have the same instructions as the parent. This allows an organism to increase its cell number, build new tissues and replace worn-out or damaged cells. In development, mitosis produces the many cells needed to form specialised tissues and organs, and it also supports repair, for example healing a cut or replacing skin cells. Because the DNA is copied accurately, the organism's cells keep the same chromosome number and the same alleles, which is essential for normal functioning. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that mitosis produces genetically identical daughter cells. Explain that increasing cell number allows growth of multicellular organisms. Describe how mitosis provides new cells for development of tissues and organs. Give an example of repair, such as replacing skin cells or healing a wound. A common slip: Saying mitosis produces gametes. Instead, mitosis produces body cells, while meiosis produces gametes. Exam tip: Use the phrase 'genetically identical' when explaining the importance of mitosis.
See it
Key words
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Growth
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Development
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Repair
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Genetic continuity
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See every definition
- Growth
- An increase in cell number by mitosis in multicellular organisms.
- Development
- The production of many cells by mitosis to form specialised tissues and organs.
- Repair
- Replacing worn-out or damaged cells, for example healing a cut or replacing skin cells.
- Genetic continuity
- DNA is copied accurately so cells keep the same chromosome number and the same alleles, which is essential for normal functioning.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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