Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 1BI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Describe mitosis as part of the cell cycle, including the stages…
Full specification wording
Topic 2 – Cells and control: 2.1 Describe mitosis as part of the cell cycle, including the stages interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase and cytokinesis
Mitosis is the part of the cell cycle that produces two genetically identical diploid cells for growth and repair.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1BI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 16
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Mitosis is the part of the cell cycle that produces two genetically identical diploid cells for growth and repair. Interphase comes first: the cell grows, replicates its DNA and increases in mass. In prophase the chromosomes condense and the nuclear membrane breaks down. In metaphase chromosomes line up along the equator (middle) of the cell. In anaphase the chromatids are pulled to opposite poles by the spindle. In telophase a new nuclear membrane forms around each set of chromosomes. Finally cytokinesis divides the cytoplasm, giving two separate daughter cells. Each stage must be placed in the correct order.
What earns the marks
- Interphase: cell growth, DNA replication and increase in mass before division.
- Prophase: chromosomes condense and the nuclear membrane breaks down.
- Metaphase: chromosomes line up at the equator (centre) of the cell.
- Anaphase: chromatids are pulled to opposite poles of the cell.
- Telophase: a new nuclear membrane forms around each set of chromosomes.
- Cytokinesis: the cytoplasm divides to produce two separate daughter cells.
- Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells for growth and repair.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Placing cytokinesis before telophase.
Put it right: Cytokinesis follows telophase and divides the cytoplasm.
Saying chromosomes line up at the poles in metaphase.
Put it right: They line up at the equator, and move to the poles in anaphase.
Treating interphase as a resting phase.
Put it right: DNA replicates and the cell grows during interphase.
Exam tips
- Learn the stages in order: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis.
- Use the key event for each stage (condense, line up, pull apart, nuclei reform, cytoplasm divides).
- State that the daughter cells are genetically identical and diploid.
Try the lesson
The start of the Topic 2 – Cells and control: 2.1 Describe mitosis as part of the cell cycle, including the stages interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase and cytokinesis lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
During which stage of the cell cycle does the cell grow and replicate its DNA in preparation for mitosis?
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