Mitosis and meiosis Cambridge IGCSE Biology revision
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In plain words
Cells make more cells by dividing. There are two ways. Ordinary division makes exact copies, for growing and for mending. A special kind happens only when making eggs and sperm: it halves the number of chromosomes, so that when two join the total is right again.
Three things to know
- Mitosis: one cell divides into two genetically identical cells with the same number of chromosomes. It is used for growth, repairing damaged tissue, replacing cells and asexual reproduction.
- Meiosis: one cell divides to make four gametes, each with half the number of chromosomes (haploid), and all genetically different.
- Before a cell divides by mitosis, every chromosome is copied exactly, so each new cell gets a full set.
Tips and tricks
- Mitosis: two identical cells. Meiosis: four different gametes with half the chromosomes. "Meiosis makes me" (a new individual).
- Human numbers: mitosis 46 → 46; meiosis 46 → 23.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
Mitosis and meiosis: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
How many cells are produced when one cell divides by mitosis?
Both are identical to the original.
What is mitosis used for?
It produces identical copies of cells.
A cell with 46 chromosomes divides by meiosis. How many chromosomes are in each new cell?
Meiosis halves the chromosome number.
How do the cells produced by meiosis compare with each other?
This is one source of variation.
Where does meiosis happen in humans?
It is how sperm and eggs are made.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 8 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
Mitosis and meiosis
Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 · 8 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
State three roles of mitosis.[3]
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Any three: growth; repair of damaged tissue; replacement of cells; asexual reproduction.
State three differences between mitosis and meiosis.[3]
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Mitosis makes two cells, meiosis makes four; mitosis keeps the chromosome number the same (diploid), meiosis halves it (haploid); mitosis gives identical cells, meiosis gives genetically different cells; mitosis happens all over the body, meiosis only in making gametes.
Explain why gametes must have half the number of chromosomes of body cells.[2]
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So that when two gametes fuse at fertilisation, the zygote has the correct (full) number of chromosomes.
Answers: Mitosis and meiosis
- 1. Any three: growth; repair of damaged tissue; replacement of cells; asexual reproduction.
- 2. Mitosis makes two cells, meiosis makes four; mitosis keeps the chromosome number the same (diploid), meiosis halves it (haploid); mitosis gives identical cells, meiosis gives genetically different cells; mitosis happens all over the body, meiosis only in making gametes.
- 3. So that when two gametes fuse at fertilisation, the zygote has the correct (full) number of chromosomes.