AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Students need to understand the three overall stages of the cell cycle but…
Full specification wording
Mitosis and the cell cycle: Students need to understand the three overall stages of the cell cycle but do not need to know the different phases of the mitosis stage.
The cell cycle is studied as three broad stages.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 7 of 9
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The cell cycle is studied as three broad stages. Stage 1 is growth and DNA replication, where the cell increases in size and copies its chromosomes. Stage 2 is mitosis, where the nucleus divides and one copy of each chromosome moves to each end of the cell. Stage 3 is cytokinesis, where the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide to form two identical cells. You need to know the order and purpose of these three stages, but you do not need to name or describe the individual phases of mitosis such as prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Focus on what happens overall in each stage and why it matters for growth and repair.
What earns the marks
- Name the three overall stages: growth and DNA replication, mitosis, and cytokinesis.
- State that DNA replication occurs before mitosis so each daughter cell receives a full set of chromosomes.
- Describe mitosis as the stage where the nucleus divides and chromosomes separate.
- Describe cytokinesis as the stage where the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide.
- Explain that the cycle produces genetically identical cells for growth and repair.
- Recognise that naming individual mitosis phases is not required at this level.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Listing prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase as required knowledge.
Put it right: Only the three overall stages are needed.
Placing DNA replication after mitosis.
Put it right: Replication occurs in the first stage, before nuclear division.
Confusing mitosis with the whole cell cycle.
Put it right: Mitosis is just the nuclear division stage within the cycle.
Exam tips
- Use a simple three-step flow diagram to remember the order of the stages.
- If a question asks for the stages of the cell cycle, give the three overall stages, not the phases of mitosis.
- Link each stage to its purpose: growth, nuclear division, then cell separation.
Try the lesson
The start of the Mitosis and the cell cycle: Students need to understand the three overall stages of the cell cycle but do not need to know the different phases of the mitosis stage. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following correctly describes the three overall stages of the cell cycle in the correct order?
Listen
The cell cycle is studied as three broad stages. Stage 1 is growth and DNA replication, where the cell increases in size and copies its chromosomes. Stage 2 is mitosis, where the nucleus divides and one copy of each chromosome moves to each end of the cell. Stage 3 is cytokinesis, where the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide to form two identical cells. You need to know the order and purpose of these three stages, but you do not need to name or describe the individual phases of mitosis such as prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Focus on what happens overall in each stage and why it matters for growth and repair. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Name the three overall stages: growth and DNA replication, mitosis, and cytokinesis. State that DNA replication occurs before mitosis so each daughter cell receives a full set of chromosomes. Describe mitosis as the stage where the nucleus divides and chromosomes separate. Describe cytokinesis as the stage where the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide. A common slip: Listing prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase as required knowledge. Instead, only the three overall stages are needed. Exam tip: Use a simple three-step flow diagram to remember the order of the stages.
See it
Put it in order
Put these steps in the order they happen.
- 1. Stage 3: cytokinesis — cytoplasm and cell membranes divide
- 2. Two genetically identical cells for growth and repair
- 3. Stage 2: mitosis — nucleus divides
- 4. Stage 1: growth and DNA replication
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Cell cycle stages
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Nuclear division
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Cytokinesis
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Cell cycle stages
- The three broad stages are growth and DNA replication, mitosis, and cytokinesis, and their order and purpose must be known.
- Nuclear division
- Mitosis is the stage where the nucleus divides and one copy of each chromosome moves to each end of the cell.
- Cytokinesis
- The stage where the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide to form two identical cells.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Mitosis and the cell cycle: Students need to understand the three overall stages of the cell cycle but do not need to know the different phases of the mitosis stage.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge