First exams in 2025

IB Style Test – SL/HL D2.1 Cell division

Theme D Continuity and change Level of Organisation: Cells

Name ______________Time allowed: 25 mins SL / 40 mins HL Mark: / 20(SL) 36 (HL)

Structured questions (10 marks)

1. Identify the stages of mitosis in the cells labelled A and B in the diagram below and give a
reason for each. (4 marks)

a) Stage of mitosis in cell A.

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b) Reason for identification of A.

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c) Stage of mitosis in cell B.

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d) Reason for identification of B.

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2. Explain the meaning of the following phrases in relation to the process of meiosis. (6 marks)

Unequal cytokinesis.

Non-disjunction.

Haploid number of
chromosomes.

© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

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 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – SL/HL D2.1 Cell division
Theme D Continuity and change Level of Organisation: Cells

Extended response questions (10 marks)

3. Compare and contrast cytokinesis in animal cells with cytokinesis in plant cells (4 marks).

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4 Compare the process of mitosis with meiosis (4 marks)

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5. List two ways in which meiosis achieves genetic variation in gametes. (2 marks)

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© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

2
 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – SL/HL D2.1 Cell division
Theme D Continuity and change Level of Organisation: Cells

Additional Higher Level only

Structured questions (9 marks)

6. In the cell cycle, prior to mitosis, there are the events listed in the table. In the right-hand
column, explain the reason for each of the events in achieving normal cell division (3 marks)

Event Reason for event

G1 Duplication of cell organelles

S Duplication of chromosomes

G2 Synthesis of microtubules

7. The microphotograph shows a possibly cancerous tissue.

a) Counting only the whole nuclei visible in the photograph, calculate the mitotic index for this
tissue (2 marks)

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© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

3
 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – SL/HL D2.1 Cell division
Theme D Continuity and change Level of Organisation: Cells

b) ii Discuss how the mitotic index may indicate a tumour (2 marks).

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c) In the table below, distinguish between the following terms relating to tumours. (2 marks)

Benign and cancerous.

Primary and secondary tumour.

Extended response questions (6 marks)

8. Explain why the rate of mitosis is high in the embryo of a mammal and a plant meristem.
(2 marks)

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9. Explain how concentrations of cyclins regulate the cell cycle. (4 marks)

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© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

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