Year 10 Science • AC9S10U01 • Authored homework
Mitosis, meiosis and inheritance
Explain how cell division, DNA, genes and chromosomes work together to support growth, repair, reproduction and inherited variation.
Part A
Short-answer questions
What is mitosis, and why is it important for multicellular organisms?
What is meiosis, and why is it important for sexual reproduction?
State one key difference between the cells produced by mitosis and the cells produced by meiosis.
Define DNA, gene and chromosome in clear Year 10 scientific language.
Why must DNA be copied before a cell divides?
What is a gamete, and how does its chromosome number compare with a body cell?
Explain how fertilisation restores the full chromosome number in offspring.
What is genetic variation, and why does meiosis help create it?
Identify one common misconception about genes or chromosomes and correct it.
Why can siblings inherit different combinations of traits from the same parents?
Part B
Long-answer questions
Compare mitosis and meiosis using purpose, number of divisions, number of daughter cells, chromosome number and genetic similarity.
Explain how DNA, genes and chromosomes are related. Use an analogy or labelled description, but make sure your explanation remains scientifically accurate.
A skin cell is damaged and must be replaced. Explain why mitosis, not meiosis, is the correct process for this situation.
A sperm cell and egg cell each contain half the usual chromosome number. Explain why this is necessary for the chromosome number of a species to remain stable across generations.
Use a simple flow chart to show how meiosis and fertilisation can produce variation in offspring. Explain each step in words.
Evaluate this claim: “Meiosis produces identical cells so offspring are exact copies of their parents.” State what is wrong and rewrite the statement correctly.
Explain how an error during cell division could affect an organism. Include one example of the type of effect that might occur.
Describe how a Punnett-square-style inheritance model can help predict possible offspring traits, and state one limitation of such a model.
Create a table that compares body cells and gametes, including where they are found, how they are produced and their chromosome number.
Write a full explanation of how inherited information passes from parents to offspring, using the terms DNA, gene, chromosome, meiosis, gamete and fertilisation.
Part C
Research and understanding task
Research one genetic condition, plant-breeding example, animal-breeding example or medical technology connected to inheritance. Explain the role of genes or chromosomes, how inheritance or cell division is involved, and one ethical or social consideration.