Exam Focus: 6-Mark "Describe the Stages of Mitosis" Questions
Part of Mitosis and the Cell Cycle — GCSE Biology
This exam focus covers Exam Focus: 6-Mark "Describe the Stages of Mitosis" Questions within Mitosis and the Cell Cycle for GCSE Biology. Cell division by mitosis, cell cycle phases, chromosome behavior, cytokinesis differences, stem cells, cancer, and practical investigations It is section 17 of 19 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Topic position
Section 17 of 19
Practice
18 questions
Recall
18 flashcards
📝 Exam Focus: 6-Mark "Describe the Stages of Mitosis" Questions
Questions asking you to "describe the stages of mitosis" are among the most common 6-mark questions for this topic. Here is exactly what examiners want to see:
- Prophase: Chromosomes condense and become visible; nuclear envelope breaks down; each chromosome is made of two identical chromatids joined at the centromere.
- Metaphase: Chromosomes line up along the equator/middle of the cell; spindle fibres attach to the centromeres.
- Anaphase: Chromatids are pulled to opposite poles as spindle fibres shorten; the two chromatids of each chromosome separate.
- Telophase: A new nuclear envelope forms around each set of chromosomes at opposite poles; two genetically identical nuclei are produced.
- Cytokinesis: The cytoplasm divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells.
Top tip: Always say what happens to the chromosomes at each stage — that is what earns marks. Simply naming the stages without explaining chromosome behaviour will only score partial marks.
Common 6-mark mark scheme structure: 1 mark per stage correctly described (P, M, A, T) + 1 mark for cytokinesis + 1 mark for mentioning identical daughter cells or equal distribution of chromosomes.