Lesson 3.3.3

3.3.3 Mitosis and the cell cycle Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Biology A (Salters-Nuffield), Unit 3

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.3.3, Mitosis and the cell cycle: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) (9BI0), Unit 3: Voice of the Genome, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Into which phases is interphase divided?

    • Prophase, metaphase and anaphase
    • G0 and M only
    • Telophase I and telophase II
    • G1, S and G2

  2. When does DNA replication occur in the cell cycle?

    • In cytokinesis
    • In the S phase of interphase
    • In G1 phase
    • In anaphase

  3. Which phase of mitosis has chromosomes lined up along the equator of the spindle?

    • Telophase
    • Prophase
    • Anaphase
    • Metaphase

  4. In which phase do sister chromatids separate?

    • Interphase
    • Prophase
    • Metaphase
    • Anaphase

  5. What is cytokinesis?

    • Duplication of the nuclear envelope
    • Division of the cytoplasm to form two separate cells
    • Separation of homologous chromosomes
    • Replication of the DNA

  6. A diploid cell has 12 chromosomes. How many chromosomes does each daughter cell have after mitosis?

    • 24
    • 6
    • 3
    • 12

  7. In a sample of 300 cells, 60 are in mitosis. What is the mitotic index as a percentage?

    • 5%
    • 80%
    • 60%
    • 20%

  8. Why is mitosis important for growth?

    • It removes damaged chromosomes from the body
    • It produces genetically identical cells needed to replace and add to tissues
    • It produces gametes with half the chromosome number
    • It creates genetic variation through crossing over

  9. Which checkpoint in the cell cycle checks for DNA damage and readiness to replicate DNA?

    • The nuclear envelope check in telophase
    • The Golgi check in cytokinesis
    • The cytoplasmic division check in G2 only
    • The G1/S checkpoint

  10. In a root tip squash, which stage is seen most often, and why?

    • Interphase, because it is the longest phase of the cell cycle
    • Anaphase, because chromosomes move quickly
    • Cytokinesis, because cells split at this time
    • Telophase, because it is the shortest phase

  11. A cancer cell divides uncontrollably. Which is the most likely cause?

    • A mutation in genes that control the cell cycle, such as tumour suppressor or proto-oncogenes
    • Failure of the Golgi to package proteins correctly
    • A low level of cholesterol in the plasma membrane
    • An excess of ribosomes in the cytoplasm

  12. A cell has 2n = 8. How many chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate of mitosis?

    • 2
    • 16
    • 4
    • 8

  13. What are spindle fibres made of?

    • Actin filaments only
    • Intermediate filaments only
    • Cellulose
    • Microtubules

  14. Why is the S phase essential before mitosis?

    • Ribosomes must be made in the S phase for mitosis to start
    • Centrioles must be destroyed in the S phase
    • The nucleus must divide before the DNA is made
    • Each chromosome must be copied so that each daughter cell receives a complete set

  15. A cell cycle lasts 20 hours and mitosis takes 1 hour. What percentage of the cycle is spent in mitosis?

    • 5%
    • 50%
    • 0.5%
    • 20%

  16. In which phase do chromosomes decondense and a nuclear envelope reform around each set?

    • Metaphase
    • Telophase
    • Prophase
    • Anaphase

  17. Why are the daughter cells from mitosis genetically identical to the parent cell?

    • Each daughter receives half the DNA by random selection
    • Sister chromatids, which are identical copies, separate and are distributed equally
    • Homologous chromosomes are shuffled by crossing over
    • Ribosomes copy the DNA of the parent

  18. A stained root tip shows cells in anaphase. What is seen?

    • Chromosomes lined up at the equator
    • A nuclear envelope reforming around the chromosomes
    • Sister chromatids pulled to opposite poles of the cell
    • Chromosomes fully decondensed as chromatin

  19. How many daughter nuclei does one mitotic division produce?

    • Four
    • Eight
    • One
    • Two

  20. What distinguishes mitosis from sexual reproduction in terms of genetic outcome?

    • Mitosis produces gametes, whereas sexual reproduction produces clones
    • Mitosis always reduces the chromosome number
    • Mitosis produces genetically identical cells, whereas sexual reproduction produces genetic variation
    • Mitosis involves two parents, whereas sexual reproduction involves one

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