Cell division teaching resources
Worksheets and lesson ideas to challenge students aged 11 to 16 to think hard about mitosis and meiosis (GCSE and Key Stage 3)
Overview: it’s strange to think that once upon a time we were all just one cell. Cell division enables organisms to grow, replace damaged tissue and reproduce. Mitosis is the cell division associated with growth and asexual reproduction. One parent cell splits into two daughter cells following the replication (duplication) of the genetic material inside the nucleus. The daughter cells produced by mitosis are identical to the parent except for any mutations that may have taken place. Meiosis in contrast is the cell division associated with sexual reproduction. Here, one parent cell forms four haploid gametes, each containing half the amount of genetic information as their parent. Importantly, meiosis produces daughter cells that are different from each other and the parent cell – it introduces variation. Cancer is a disease caused by uncontrolled cell division – it’s when mitosis goes wrong. Many drugs that target cancer cells also target cells that divide – that’s one of the reasons for hair dropping out during chemotherapy.
Key concept: cell division allows organisms to grow, replace damaged tissue and reproduce. When cell division is uncontrolled we get important human diseases such as cancer.
From big idea: organisms are organised on a cellular basis and have a finite life span
Prior knowledge: cell structure, chromosomes and genetic organisation inside the nucleus
Misconception [scientific idea]: growth is a result of cells getting bigger [growth is mainly a result of cell division]; organelles disappear during cell division [organelles remain present during cell division]; the cell cycle is mitosis [the cell cycle comprises DNA replication, mitosis and cytokinesis]
Teaching resources
Where to start?
Ask students to watch this excellent video showing a fertilised human egg undergoing its first few mitotic divisions. Then show a human karyotype and ask why chromosomes are arranged in pairs.
Mitosis and general cell division
Key Stage 3 worksheet to identify when cell division occurs. Students are given a series of pictures. They identify whether cell division has taken place. This is a great starting point to introduce mitosis.
Mitosis and the cell cycle
GCSE worksheet on mitosis and the cell cycle. Use this simple activity looking at mosquito chromosomes after you have given students the chance to learn the ideas behind mitosis. Students could work in pairs or individually for this task. (PDF)
Comparing and contrasting meiosis with mitosis
GCSE worksheet to compare and contrast meiosis with mitosis. This activity asks students to compare and contrast mitosis with meiosis by identifying similarities and differences. It could serve as a good way to recap mitosis once you have introduced meiosis. This activity was based on an idea from The Big Ideas of Physics and How to Teach Them by Ben Rogers. (PDF)
Meiosis
A Level activity on the stages of meiosis. This resource can be used to help students recognise the different meiotic stages. Students are shown pictures of cells undergoing meiosis. They must identify each meiotic stage and put the images in the correct order. (PDF)
Videos of cell division
A fantastic collection of videos and images of cells provided by The Cell. These videos are freely available and can be used to show students the dynamic nature of cell division.
Thinking deeper
- Suggest why chemotherapy may cause hair to fall out.
- Why do people age?
- A cancerous cell divides uncontrollably once every hour. How many cancerous cells will be present after 24 hours?