Multicellular organisms grow by increasing the number of cells they have; this involves cell division.

An organism that consists of only one cell.

The process by which cells replicate to produce two genetically identical cells.

Growth in multicellular organisms

Biology

The cell cycle and cell division: mitosis

Observing mitosis in plant cells using a light microscope

The structure of DNA: including nucleotides

Errors in cell division and cancer: beyond the basics

Making gametes: meiosis

Pupils will learn about unspecialised cells in animals and plants, how they become specialised, and potential benefits and issues with using stem cells in medicine. 

Pupils learned about dominant and recessive alleles, and how to use models of single gene inheritance to make predictions about the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring.

This unit covers mitosis and the cell cycle in growth, cancer as uncontrolled cell division, and the role of mutations in genetic variation. It explains meiosis in gamete formation and chromosome reduction. The emphasis is on recording observations and interpreting patterns to draw conclusions.

Cell division: mitosis and meiosis

The process by which cells divide; this involves a specific set of phases.

A type of cell division that produces genetically identical cells.

A sub-cellular structure that contains the genetic material (DNA); controls the cell activities.

Tightly coiled strands of DNA that carry the genetic material.

A type of microscope that uses visible light and a system of lenses to generate magnified images of small objects.

A piece of glass or other transparent material with curved sides, used in a microscope to magnify objects.

Making small objects appear larger in order to see more detail.

A point where light rays converge to form an image with clarity.

A polymer with a double helix structure that carries the genetic information.

Bases form pairs with one other base: A pairs with T, and C pairs with G.

A change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA that can cause mutated genes.

Short sections of DNA that code for a specific characteristic or protein.

A mass of cells that has been produced through uncontrolled cell division.

A tumour that is non-cancerous and contained to one area.

A tumour that is cancerous and can spread.

A type of reproduction that combines the genetic material of two organisms to produce genetically different offspring.

An organism's sex cells that contain half the number of chromosomes.

A type of cell division that forms the gametes.

Highly coiled strands of DNA found inside the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

A cell with half the number of chromosomes.

Help using Oak

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Primary

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Secondary

Who we are

Cell division: mitosis and meiosis

Choose a lesson (6)