CAIE A Level Biology 9700 · The mitotic cell cycle

The mitotic cell cycle: outline question

Outline4 marksStandard

A biologist observes a skin cell as it progresses through the cell cycle. She notes the following activities at different times:

  • The cell synthesizes new proteins and increases in size.
  • The cell replicates its DNA.
  • The cell continues to grow and produces additional organelles.
  • The chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope disassembles.
  • The chromosomes line up at the equator of the spindle.
  • The sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles.
  • Nuclear envelopes reform around the separated chromatids.
  • The cytoplasm constricts, forming two daughter cells.

Outline the phases of the mitotic cell cycle in the order they occur, describing the main events of each phase.

0 words · 4 marks

No account needed for your first marks. Your answer is used only to mark it.

How this question is marked

4 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 4 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.

Outline means: Give the main points briefly. Less detail than describe, but every key step has to be there. One short line per step, in order. The marks are for coverage, not depth.

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