AQA · GCSE · Biology

    Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018

    Finally the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide to form two identical cells.

    Full specification wording

    Mitosis and the cell cycle: Finally the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide to form two identical cells.

    This final stage of the cell cycle completes mitosis.

    Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 6 of 9
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    This final stage of the cell cycle completes mitosis. After the nucleus has divided, the cytoplasm and cell membranes separate to produce two genetically identical daughter cells. In animal cells, the cell membrane pinches inwards (cleavage furrow) until the cell splits. In plant cells, a cell plate forms across the middle and develops into a new cell wall and membrane. Each daughter cell receives a full set of chromosomes and roughly half the cytoplasm and organelles. The word 'identical' refers to the DNA: both cells have the same chromosome number and the same alleles as the parent cell. This matters for growth, repair and asexual reproduction, where genetic consistency is essential.

    What earns the marks

    • State that the cytoplasm divides after the nucleus has divided, producing two separate cells.
    • Describe membrane division in animal cells as the cell membrane pinching inwards until the cell splits.
    • Describe plant cell division as a cell plate forming across the cell, becoming new cell wall and membrane.
    • Explain that the two daughter cells are genetically identical because each receives an identical set of chromosomes.
    • Link this final stage to the earlier stages: DNA replication, then nuclear division, then cytoplasmic division.
    • Recognise that 'identical' refers to genetic material, not necessarily to size or cytoplasmic contents.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Thinking the cell membrane divides before the nucleus.

      Put it right: Nuclear division occurs first, then cytoplasm and membranes divide.

    • Believing the two daughter cells are identical in every way including cytoplasm.

      Put it right: They are genetically identical but cytoplasmic contents may differ slightly.

    • Describing plant cell division as the membrane pinching inwards.

      Put it right: Plant cells form a cell plate that becomes a new cell wall and membrane.

    Exam tips

    • Use the phrase 'genetically identical' rather than just 'identical' to show precision.
    • If asked to sequence the cell cycle, place cytoplasmic division last, after nuclear division.
    • When comparing plant and animal cells, mention the cell plate for plants and membrane pinching for animals.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Mitosis and the cell cycle: Finally the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide to form two identical cells. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    In the final stage of the cell cycle, what happens to the cytoplasm and cell membranes?

    Listen

    This final stage of the cell cycle completes mitosis. After the nucleus has divided, the cytoplasm and cell membranes separate to produce two genetically identical daughter cells. In animal cells, the cell membrane pinches inwards (cleavage furrow) until the cell splits. In plant cells, a cell plate forms across the middle and develops into a new cell wall and membrane. Each daughter cell receives a full set of chromosomes and roughly half the cytoplasm and organelles. The word 'identical' refers to the DNA: both cells have the same chromosome number and the same alleles as the parent cell. This matters for growth, repair and asexual reproduction, where genetic consistency is essential. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that the cytoplasm divides after the nucleus has divided, producing two separate cells. Describe membrane division in animal cells as the cell membrane pinching inwards until the cell splits. Describe plant cell division as a cell plate forming across the cell, becoming new cell wall and membrane. Explain that the two daughter cells are genetically identical because each receives an identical set of chromosomes. A common slip: Thinking the cell membrane divides before the nucleus. Instead, nuclear division occurs first, then cytoplasm and membranes divide. Exam tip: Use the phrase 'genetically identical' rather than just 'identical' to show precision.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. The first box reads 'Nucleus has divided' and points down to a box reading 'Cytoplasm and cell membranes divide'. This box branches into two boxes side by side: 'Animal cell: cell membrane pinches inwards until the cell splits' and 'Plant cell: cell plate forms across the middle, becoming new cell wall and membrane'. Both of these point down to a box reading 'Two separate cells', which points down to a final box reading 'Two genetically identical daughter cells'.
    Shows that after nuclear division the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide, by membrane pinching in animal cells or a cell plate in plant cells, producing two genetically identical daughter cells.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Cell cycle completion

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    Genetic continuity

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    Cytokinesis in animal and plant cells

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    Daughter cell formation

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    See every definition
    Cell cycle completion
    The cytoplasm and cell membranes divide to form two identical cells, after the nucleus has divided.
    Genetic continuity
    Both cells have the same chromosome number and the same alleles as the parent cell, which matters for growth, repair and asexual reproduction.
    Cytokinesis in animal and plant cells
    In animal cells the cell membrane pinches inwards until the cell splits, while in plant cells a cell plate forms across the middle and develops into a new cell wall and membrane.
    Daughter cell formation
    Two separate cells are produced, each receiving a full set of chromosomes and roughly half the cytoplasm and organelles.

    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 top-down flowchart. The first box reads 'Nucleus has divided' and points down to a box reading 'Cytoplasm and cell membranes divide'. This box branches into two boxes side by side: 'Animal cell: cell membrane pinches inwards until the cell splits' and 'Plant cell: cell plate forms across the middle, becoming new cell wall and membrane'. Both of these point down to a box reading 'Two separate cells', which points down to a final box reading 'Two genetically identical daughter cells'.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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