POST-TUTORIAL REVISION PACKAGE

H2 CELL DIVISION
Multiple-Choice Questions
1

Which of the following best describes the features present in the figure below?

ii

iv

Nucleus containing 12 pairs of

homologous chromosomes

Homologous
chromosomes

Centromere

DNA double helix

Nucleus containing 6 pairs of

homologous chromosomes

Homologous
chromosomes

Kinetochore

DNA double helix

Nucleus containing 12 pairs of

homologous chromosomes

Sister
chromatids

Kinetochore

Complementary base
pairs

Nucleus containing 6 pairs of

homologous chromosomes

Sister
chromatids

Centromere

Complementary base
pairs

Post-Tutorial Revision Package: Cell Division (H2)

During which of the following stages of the cell cycle will a diploid cell contain twice the
amount of DNA found in a gamete?
A
B
C
D

prophase
entire S phase
entire G1 phase
entire G2 phase

The graph shows the mass of DNA present per human cell during sperm production,
fertilization and early development of the embryo.

Which of the following statements about the graph is / are TRUE?

I

The cells formed during W and Z are genetically identical to one another as a
result of mitosis.
II The cell plate starts to reform during X.
III Anaphase II has occurred at X.
IV DNA replication occurs during Y.
A
B
C
D

I only
III only
I and III only
I and IV only

How many different types of gametes would be produced by an organism of genotype

PpqqRrSsTTUu, if all of the genes assort independently?
A
B
C
D

8
10
16
64

Post-Tutorial Revision Package: Cell Division (H2)

The figure below shows a stage in the division of a cell from an anther of a flower.

Identify the type and stage of nuclear division as shown, as well as the correct diploid
number of the plant.

A
B
C
D

Type of nuclear division

mitosis
meiosis
meiosis
meiosis

Stage of nuclear division

anaphase
anaphase I
anaphase II
anaphase II

Diploid number
14
14
28
14

The following graph represents the changes in the quantity of DNA present in a cell.

At which stage would separation of homologous chromosomes begin?

A
B
C
D

I
II
III
IV

Which of the following statements about meiosis is false?

A
B
C
D

Cells at the beginning of Meiosis II are haploid.

Homologous chromosomes are paired on the metaphase plate in metaphase I.
Homologous chromosomes are separated in anaphase I.
Sister chromatids are separated at anaphase I.

Post-Tutorial Revision Package: Cell Division (H2)

8 The figure shows the life cycle of the water flea, Daphnia. The cells of individual R
contain 10 chromosomes.

Which of the following are correct?

A
B
C
D

Individual

Ploidy
level

Number of
chromosomes

Reason for choice

2n

20

The cells of P can undergo both

mitosis and meiosis.

II

2n

20

P produces eggs Q by mitosis which

develop into females.

III

10

The gametic cells of P

undergone normal meiosis.

IV

2n

20

Random fertilisation of haploid

gametes from R and S occurred to
form zygote T.

have

I and II only
I and III only
II and IV only
All of the above

If a pair of chromosomes fails to separate during anaphase of meiosis I, what will be the
chromosome number of the four resulting games?
A
B
C
D

n+1; n+1; n-1; n-1

n+1; n-1; n; n
n+1; n-1; n-1; n-1
n+1; n+1; n; n

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D, E, F and G are the four daughter cells resulting when cell A undergoes meiosis. If no
crossing over occurred during the meiotic event, which cells listed below, if any, are
genetically identical?

A
B
C
D

11

Which processes involve mitosis?

A
B
C
D

12

B and C
D, E, F & G
D & E, F & G
None

growth, reduction division and asexual reproduction

growth, repair and asexual reproduction
growth, repair and semi-conservative replication
repair, reduction division and asexual reproduction

Vinblastine is an anti-microtubule drug used to treat certain kinds of cancer. What is likely
to be its mechanism of action?
A
B
C
D

disruption of DNA synthesis

disruption of mitotic spindle assembly
inhibition of cleavage furrow formation
inhibition of kinetochore formation

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The diagrams represent a pair of chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis. Q and q are
alleles of one gene, and R and r are alleles of another gene.

Which diagrams represent situations which would result in the segregation of allele Q from
allele q at anaphase I?
A
B

14

C
D

1, 2 and 3
1, 2 and 4

2, 3 and 5
3, 4 and 5

The list below indicates some of the characteristic features of either mitosis or meiosis.
1
2
3
4
5
6

Chromosomes always line up along a metaphase plate.

Daughter cells contain one of a homologous pair of chromosomes.
Centromeres divide in all nuclear divisions.
Formation of chiasmata.
Daughter chromosomes are identical.
Homologous chromosomes associate during synapsis.

Which one of the following shows the correct events specific to each process?

A
B
C
D

Mitosis
1 2 5
1 3 5
2 3 5
2 5 6

Meiosis
3 4 6
2 4 6
1 4 6
1 3 4

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The photographs below show a section of the onion root tip. The cells are at different
stages of mitosis.

Which of the following shows the correct sequence of events that occurs in these cells?
A
B
C
D

16

R, T, U, P, S, Q
T, U, P, S, Q, R
Q, T, P, S, U, R
T, R, P, S, U, Q

The diagram shows bivalent during prophase I of meiosis.

How many chiasma(ta) must be formed to obtain a gamete with the genotype qRt?
A
B
C
D

0
1
2
3

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18

Which pair of statements correctly describes how cellular DNA content and ploidy level
change after meiosis I and meiosis II?
A

Cellular DNA content is halved after both meiosis I and meiosis II.
Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid only after meiosis II.

Cellular DNA content is halved after both meiosis I and meiosis II.
Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid after meiosis I, and remains haploid after
meiosis II.

Cellular DNA content is halved only after meiosis I.

Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid only after meiosis II.

Cellular DNA content is halved only after meiosis I.

Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid after meiosis I, and remains haploid after
meiosis II.

How do cells at the completion of meiosis compare with cells that have replicated their
DNA and are just about to begin meiosis?
A
B
C
D

They have half the amount of cytoplasm and half the amount of DNA.
They have half the number of chromosomes and one-fourth the amount of DNA.
They have half the number of chromosomes and half the amount of DNA.
They have the same number of chromosomes and half the amount of DNA.

Post-Tutorial Revision Package: Cell Division (H2)

Structured Questions
Question 1
Figure 1.1 shows three cells, A, B and C from the same organism. One of the cells is in the first
division of meiosis, one is in the second division of meiosis and one is dividing by mitosis.

Fig. 1.1
(a) What is the diploid number of chromosomes in the organism from which these cells were
taken? [1]

(b) Complete the table to show which of the cells, A, B or C is in the first division of meiosis
and which is in the second. [1]
Stage of Meiosis

Cell

First Division
Second Division

(c) Explain two ways in which meiosis leads to genetic variation in gametes. [4]
1

Post-Tutorial Revision Package: Cell Division (H2)

During mitosis chromosomes line up on the equator of the cell. Each chromosome consists of a
pair of chromatids. Each chromatid then moves towards a pole of the cell.
The graph shows how the distance between a centromere and the equator of the cell changes
during mitosis.

Fig 1.2
(d) Sketch a curve on the graph to show the change in the distance apart of the centromeres
on a pair of chromatids during this mitotic division. [2]
(e) (i) What phase of mitosis is represented by stage H on the graph? [1]

(ii) What causes the distance between the centromere and the equator to change during
stage G? [1]

(f) Explain why cells that are produced as a result of mitosis are genetically identical. [3]

[Total: 13]
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Question 2
The micrographs shown in Fig. 2.1 are nuclei of cells at successive stages during nuclear
division in a flowering plant.
A

D
C

E
C

F
C

Fig. 2.1
(a) State the type of nuclear division shown in Fig. 2.1. [1]

(b) Explain the importance of this nuclear division in sexual reproduction. [2]

(c) Name stage C and describe the main events that take place during this stage. [3]

(d) Describe two differences between stages B and F. [2]

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(e) Suggest why the nuclei in stage I are genetically non-identical to one another. [2]

This flowering plant has a diploid number of 24.

(f) State the number of possible combinations of chromosomes that can occur in the formation
of gametes. [1]

[Total: 11]

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Question 3
The table shows the number of chromosomes and the mass of DNA in different nuclei. All the
nuclei come from the same animal.
(a) Complete this table. [2]
nucleus
at prophase of mitosis

number of chromosomes

mass of DNA/arbitrary units

26

60

at telophase of mitosis
from a sperm cell
Table 3.1
(b) Fig 3.1 shows some cells undergoing mitosis. Each of the cells A, B, C and D is in a
different stage of mitosis.

A
B

Fig. 3.1
Using the letters provided, write the correct order of the stages in mitosis. [1]

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(c) The flow chart shows one way in which a chromosome preparation can be obtained.
sample cells obtained
sample cells incubated for 48 hours
colchicine added and further incubated for 24 hours
squash preparation made and chromosomes stained
chromosomes examined under microscope

(i) Explain why it is necessary to incubate the cells for 48 hours before adding colchicine.
[1]

(ii) Suggest why a spindle inhibitor such as colchicine was added in making this
preparation. [1]

[Total: 15]
Question 4
The graph below shows the DNA content during mitosis and meiosis.

(a) State the stages D and E if:

(i) y-axis of graph indicates DNA content per nucleus.[1]
D:
E:

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(ii) y-axis of graph indicates DNA content per cell. [1]

D:
E:

The diagrams below show a cell undergoing two different stages of meiosis (to the same scale).

(iii) Identify stages A and B. [1]

(iv) Describe and explain the phenomenon observed in B. [2]

(v) Explain the importance of meiosis to sexually reproducing organisms. [2]

[Total: 7]

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Question 5
The micrographs below show the various stages of meiosis in an animal cell.

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(a)

Micrographs C, H and G show the 5th, 6th and 7th stages in the sequence. In the boxes
below, arrange the other letters shown on the micrographs to indicate the correct
chronological sequence for this type of nuclear division. [1]
C

(b)

Explain the significance of Stage B. [2]

(c)

Describe what happens at Stage D. [2]

(d)

Fig. 5.1 shows the attachment of a chromosome during mitosis.

A
B

C
(i)

Fig. 5.1

Identify the molecules that form structures labelled A to C. [3]

A:
B:
C:

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(ii) Explain why the chromosome appears as a doubled armed structure. [2]

(e)

Colchicine, an alkaloid drug has a powerful anti-mitotic effect. It inhibits spindle fibre
formation, therefore arresting mitosis at a particular stage. Removal of colchicine is
followed by a prompt resumption of mitosis.
Suggest at which stage of mitosis would the cells be arrested in and give an
explanation to your answer. [3]

[Total: 14]

Essay Questions

Question 1

(a) With the aid of labeled diagrams, describe the changes within the cell associated with the
different stages of mitosis. [10]

(b) Compare and contrast the changes described in the section above with those associated
with the different stages of meiosis I. [6]
Question 2

(a) Explain how meiosis and fertilization in sexual reproduction lead to variation within a
population. [7]

(b) Explain how mitosis produces genetically identical cells. [6]

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