TEAS Science Practice Questions: Cell Division & Reproduction

Which type of reproduction involves only one parent and produces genetically identical offspring?

A. Sexual reproduction

B. Meiosis

C. Asexual reproduction

D. Fertilization

C. Asexual reproduction

How to Solve

Look for clues: one parent and genetically identical offspring.

Asexual reproduction creates clones.

Memory Tip

A = Alone = Asexual

One parent does all the work.

Which process produces gametes (sex cells)?

A. Diffusion

B. Osmosis

C. Mitosis

D. Meiosis

D. Meiosis

How to Solve

Gametes = sperm and egg cells.

Meiosis creates cells with half the DNA.

Memory Tip

"Meiosis Makes Mates."

Meiosis creates reproductive cells.

What are parental sex cells called?

A. Chromosomes

B. Gametes

C. Tissues

D. Organelles

B. Gametes

How to Solve

Sperm and egg cells are reproductive cells.

Reproductive cells are called gametes.

Memory Tip

Gametes = Game starts

Gametes start a new organism.

How much genetic material does each gamete contain?

A. Double the normal amount

B. Half the normal amount

C. No DNA

D. The full amount of DNA

B. Half the normal amount

How to Solve

Egg = half DNA

Sperm = half DNA

Together = complete set of DNA

Memory Tip

Half + Half = Whole

What happens during fertilization?

A. One cell divides into two cells.

B. Water moves across a membrane.

C. Two gametes combine.

D. Cells shrink.

C. Two gametes combine.

How to Solve

Fertilization = sperm + egg.

Memory Tip

Fertilization = Fusion

Two cells join together.

Offspring produced through sexual reproduction inherit characteristics from:

A. Only the mother

B. Only the father

C. Both parents

D. Neither parent

C. Both parents

How to Solve

Sexual reproduction combines DNA from two parents.

Memory Tip

Two Parents = Mixed Traits

What is diffusion?

A. Movement of water only
B. Movement of chemicals from high concentration to low concentration
C. Cell reproduction
D. Formation of gametes

B. Movement of chemicals from high concentration to low concentration

How to Solve

• Particles spread out from crowded areas to less crowded areas.

Memory Tip

Diffusion = "Spread Out"

What is osmosis?

A. Movement of proteins
B. Movement of oxygen
C. Movement of water across a membrane
D. Cell division

C. Movement of water across a membrane

How to Solve

Remember that osmosis specifically involves water.

Memory Tip

Osmosis = Only Water

Why do cells divide rather than continue growing larger?

A. Large cells reproduce faster.
B. Large cells cannot transport materials efficiently.
C. Large cells contain too much DNA.
D. Large cells stop using energy.

B. Large cells cannot transport materials efficiently.

How to Solve

As cells get bigger, diffusion becomes less efficient.

Memory Tip

Small Cells = Fast Transport

Which process is primarily responsible for growth and repair of body tissues?

A. Meiosis
B. Fertilization
C. Mitosis
D. Osmosis

C. Mitosis

How to Solve

• Growth and repair require identical body cells.

• Mitosis makes identical cells.

Memory Tip

Mitosis = Maintain Me

• Growth and repair.

Reproduction

• Asexual = 1 parent = clones

• Sexual = 2 parents = variation

• Gametes = sperm and egg

• Meiosis = makes gametes

• Fertilization = sperm + egg

Cell Transport

Diffusion = high → low concentration

Osmosis = movement of water

Passive transport = no energy required

Cell Division

Mitosis = growth and repair

Meiosis = reproduction

Cells divide because they cannot grow forever

Fast TEAS Memory Trick

MITOSIS = My body grows

MEIOSIS = Make eggs and sperm

DIFFUSION = Dissipate (spread out)

OSMOSIS = Only water moves

ASEXUAL = Alone parent

SEXUAL = Sperm + Egg