Cell BiologyWorked Example

Mathematical Aspects of Cell Division

Part of Mitosis and the Cell Cycle · GCSE GCSE Biology revision

This worked example covers Mathematical Aspects of Cell Division 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 13 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 13 of 19

Practice

24 questions

Recall

18 flashcards

🧮 Mathematical Aspects of Cell Division

Exponential Growth Pattern

Cell division follows a doubling pattern. Starting with one cell:

Division Number	Number of Cells	Calculation
0 (start)	1	2⁰ = 1
1	2	2¹ = 2
2	4	2² = 4
3	8	2³ = 8
10	1,024	2¹⁰ = 1,024
20	1,048,576	2²⁰ = 1,048,576

Formula: Number of cells = 2ⁿ (where n = number of divisions)

📝 Worked Example

Question: A single cell divides by mitosis every 2 hours. How many cells will there be after 12 hours?

Solution:

Time = 12 hours
Division time = 2 hours
Number of divisions = 12 ÷ 2 = 6 divisions
Number of cells = 2⁶ = 64 cells

Answer: 64 cells after 12 hours

Quick Check: A cell divides every 3 hours. Starting from 1 cell, how many cells will there be after 9 hours?

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Mitosis and the Cell Cycle. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Key Terms — Mitosis Common Misconceptions About Mitosis Cell Division: The Story of Growth and Repair The Cell Cycle Overview

Practice Questions for Mitosis and the Cell Cycle

What is mitosis?

A. Nuclear division producing two genetically identical cells
B. The formation of gametes with half the chromosome number
C. The fusion of two nuclei during fertilization
D. The process by which cells grow larger without dividing

1 markfoundation

Describe what happens during interphase to prepare a cell for mitosis.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

Define mitosis

Mitosis is the process of nuclear division that produces two genetically identical diploid cells from one diploid cell. It is used for growth and repair in multicellular organisms.

Give three reasons why cells divide

1. Growth - increasing cell numbers for organism development 2. Repair - replacing damaged or dead cells 3. Asexual reproduction - creating identical offspring

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Key Terms — Mitosis

Common Misconceptions About Mitosis