Mitosis (AQA GCSE Biology)

Flashcards covering key concepts of Mitosis for AQA GCSE Biology, including its definition, role, stages, and common exam questions.

What is mitosis?

Cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells from one parent cell.

What is the role of mitosis in multicellular organisms?

Growth, repair of tissues, and replacement of damaged cells.

Does AQA GCSE require you to learn the names of mitosis phases (prophase, metaphase, etc.)?

No, you just need to describe the overall stages of the cell cycle including mitosis.

What happens during interphase (before mitosis)?

Cell grows, DNA is replicated, and organelles like ribosomes and mitochondria are duplicated.

What happens during mitosis?

Chromosomes are separated so that each new nucleus has a full set of identical chromosomes.

What happens during cytokinesis?

The cytoplasm and cell membrane divide to form two identical daughter cells.

Why does DNA replicate before mitosis?

So that each daughter cell receives a full set of chromosomes.

What are the key steps of the cell cycle (simplified for AQA)?

Interphase
Mitosis (nuclear division)
Cytokinesis (cell division).

How are daughter cells similar to the parent cell in mitosis?

They are genetically identical.

Give one example of an organism using mitosis for asexual reproduction.

Plants (e.g. producing runners or cuttings) or some single-celled organisms.

What type of exam question might test your understanding of mitosis?

Describe stages of the cell cycle. Recognise cells undergoing mitosis in diagrams. Explain why mitosis is important. Calculate proportion of cells in mitosis vs total.