17.2

Mitosis

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)  · Unit 17: Inheritance  · 9 flashcards

Mitosis is topic 17.2 in the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) syllabus , positioned in Unit 17 — Inheritance , alongside Chromosomes, genes and proteins, Meiosis and Monohybrid inheritance.  In one line: Mitosis is the division of a nucleus into two genetically identical nuclei. This process ensures each new cell receives the same number and type of chromosomes as the parent cell.

This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical). Past papers from 2022 to 2025 record 2 explicit questions on this topic — though the concept underpins many adjacent topics, so it is tested far more often than that figure suggests.

The deck below contains 9 flashcards — 2 definitions, 2 key concepts, 3 process cards and 2 application cards — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward.  Use the 2 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.

Key definition

Mitosis

Mitosis is the division of a nucleus into two genetically identical nuclei. This process ensures each new cell receives the same number and type of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Example: Human skin cells dividing to replace old or damaged cells.

What the Cambridge 0610 syllabus says

Official 2026-2028 spec

These are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.

  1. Describe Describe mitosis as nuclear division giving rise to genetically identical cells (details of the stages of mitosis are not required) Supplement
  2. State State the role of mitosis in growth, repair of damaged tissues, replacement of cells and asexual reproduction Supplement
  3. State State that the exact replication of chromosomes occurs before mitosis Supplement
  4. State State that during mitosis, the copies of chromosomes separate, maintaining the chromosome number in each daughter cell Supplement
  5. Describe Describe stem cells as unspecialised cells that divide by mitosis to produce daughter cells that can become specialised for specific functions Supplement
Definition Flip

What is mitosis?

Answer Flip

Mitosis is the division of a nucleus into two genetically identical nuclei. This process ensures each new cell receives the same number and type of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Example: Human skin cells dividing to replace old or damaged cells.
Key Concept Flip

What is the role of mitosis in multicellular organisms?

Answer Flip

Mitosis plays crucial roles in growth, repair of damaged tissues, and replacement of old or worn-out cells.

Example: mitosis allows a fertilized egg to develop into a complex organism and helps heal a cut on your skin.
Key Concept Flip

How does mitosis contribute to asexual reproduction?

Answer Flip

In asexual reproduction, mitosis creates offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.

Example: A strawberry plant reproducing via runners, where new plants are formed through mitosis from the parent plant's cells.
Key Concept Flip

What happens to chromosomes before mitosis begins?

Answer Flip

Before mitosis, the chromosomes are replicated, resulting in two identical copies called sister chromatids. This ensures that each daughter cell receives a complete and identical set of genetic information.

Example: DNA replication during the S phase of the cell cycle.
Key Concept Flip

What happens to the chromosome number during mitosis?

Answer Flip

During mitosis, the sister chromatids separate, and one copy of each chromosome moves into each daughter cell. This ensures that the chromosome number is maintained in each daughter cell.

Example: A human cell with 46 chromosomes undergoing mitosis results in two daughter cells, each with 46 chromosomes.
Definition Flip

What are stem cells?

Answer Flip

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can divide by mitosis to produce daughter cells. These daughter cells can either remain as stem cells or differentiate into specialized cells with specific functions.

Example: Stem cells in bone marrow differentiating into red blood cells.
Key Concept Flip

Give an example of tissue repair mediated by mitosis.

Answer Flip

After a skin injury, cells around the wound undergo rapid mitosis to generate new cells, closing the wound and repairing the damaged tissue.

Example: Fibroblasts dividing to form new connective tissue in wound healing.
Key Concept Flip

Describe the genetic relationship between the daughter cells produced by mitosis and the parent cell.

Answer Flip

The daughter cells produced by mitosis are genetically identical to the parent cell. This ensures that the genetic information is accurately passed on to new cells during growth, repair, or asexual reproduction.

Example: A single-celled organism like *Amoeba* divides by mitosis to produce two identical daughter cells.
Key Concept Flip

How can mitosis contribute to the development of cancer?

Answer Flip

Uncontrolled mitosis, resulting from mutations in genes that control the cell cycle, can lead to the formation of tumors. Cancer cells divide rapidly and uncontrollably, disrupting normal tissue function.

Example: Uncontrolled division of epithelial cells forming cancerous masses in the lungs.

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17.1 Chromosomes, genes and proteins 17.3 Meiosis

Key Questions: Mitosis

What is mitosis?

Mitosis is the division of a nucleus into two genetically identical nuclei. This process ensures each new cell receives the same number and type of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Example: Human skin cells dividing to replace old or damaged cells.
What are stem cells?

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can divide by mitosis to produce daughter cells. These daughter cells can either remain as stem cells or differentiate into specialized cells with specific functions.

Example: Stem cells in bone marrow differentiating into red blood cells.

Tips to avoid common mistakes in Mitosis

More topics in Unit 17 — Inheritance

Mitosis sits alongside these Biology decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.

17.1 Chromosomes, genes and proteins

12 flashcards
17.3 Meiosis

9 flashcards
17.4 Monohybrid inheritance

12 flashcards

Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers

These are the official Cambridge 0610 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.

mitosis cell division chromosome daughter cell identical growth repair asexual reproduction

Key terms covered in this Mitosis deck

Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.

Mitosis
Stem cells

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How to study this Mitosis deck

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