Mitosis, Meiosis, and Variation

IGCSE Edexcel Biology
3.28-3.33 Cell Division and Variation
Key Concept: Mitosis produces identical cells for growth, while meiosis produces varied gametes for reproduction.

Section A: Comparing Cell Division

1. State two differences between mitosis and meiosis. [4]
2. Complete the table: number of cells produced and chromosome number in mitosis and meiosis. [4]

Section B: Where It Happens

3. State two places or processes where mitosis occurs. [2]

Section C: Variation

4. Explain how meiosis and random fertilisation increase variation. [3]
Total marks: 13

Mark Scheme

1. Any two: mitosis makes identical cells; meiosis makes varied cells; mitosis makes 2 cells; meiosis makes 4 cells; mitosis keeps diploid; meiosis makes haploid [4]
2. Mitosis: 2 cells, same chromosome number; Meiosis: 4 cells, half chromosome number [4]
3. Growth, repair, replacement, cloning, asexual reproduction (any two) [2]
4. Meiosis shuffles alleles in gametes; random fertilisation combines gametes in many combinations [3]