This question is about eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell division and the generation of genetic diversity.
During the development of a multicellular organism from a single-celled zygote, rapid mitotic cell division occurs. Aside from the growth and development of an embryo, state two other biological roles of mitosis in multicellular organisms.
Many eukaryotic organisms, such as certain fungi and plants, can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Explain why mitosis, and not meiosis, is the cell division mechanism used during asexual reproduction.
Unicellular cyanobacteria, such as Anabaena, reproduce asexually by binary fission rather than mitosis. Explain why prokaryotes cannot undergo mitosis.
During meiosis, the independent assortment of chromosomes is a key source of genetic diversity in gametes. The gametes of the domestic cat (Felis catus) contain 191919 chromosomes. Assuming no crossing over occurs, calculate the number of genetically different gametes that can be produced by an individual cat as a result of the independent assortment of chromosomes.
Number of different gametes = ________________
40 exam-style questions on OCR A A Level Biology Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.