Who this is for: Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science (0654) students who want cell division — mitosis and meiosis — to become reliable marks instead of confusing growth with gamete formation.
What query it owns: how to understand and revise cell division in Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science.
Why this is safe: this page owns the cell-division revision-guide angle, while Tutopiya’s Cell Division subtopic page owns the learning resource and the free Cell Division quiz owns the practice.

Cell division is how organisms grow, repair tissues, reproduce asexually and form gametes. Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science (0654) tests mitosis (producing two genetically identical diploid cells) and meiosis (producing four genetically different haploid gametes). This guide covers the syllabus definitions, the comparison table examiners expect, and the question types that appear every year.

Key takeaways

• Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells — used for growth, repair and asexual reproduction.
• Meiosis is reduction division — produces four genetically different haploid cells (gametes).
• Meiosis involves two divisions; mitosis involves one.
• Genetic variation in meiosis arises from crossing over and independent assortment of chromosomes.
• Exam answers must state purpose, number of cells, chromosome number and genetic identity.

What is cell division in Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science?

Mitosis is nuclear division in which a diploid cell divides once to produce two diploid daughter cells with the same chromosome number and alleles as the parent. Meiosis is reduction division in which a diploid cell divides twice to produce four haploid cells, each with half the chromosome number. In humans, meiosis in ovaries and testes produces egg and sperm; fertilisation restores the diploid number.

You can read the full explanation, diagrams and notes on Tutopiya’s Cell Division subtopic page before you attempt questions.

The core ideas you must master

Idea	What it means	How the exam uses it
Mitosis	One division → two identical diploid cells	”State the role of mitosis.”
Meiosis	Two divisions → four haploid cells	”Define meiosis.”
Haploid	Half the diploid chromosome number	”State the chromosome number of gametes.”
Diploid	Full chromosome set (e.g. 46 in humans)	“State when cells are diploid.”
Genetic variation	Differences between offspring	”Explain how meiosis increases variation.”

Mitosis vs meiosis — comparison table

Feature	Mitosis	Meiosis
Purpose	Growth, repair, asexual reproduction	Produce gametes
Divisions	One	Two
Daughter cells	Two	Four
Chromosome number	Diploid (unchanged)	Haploid (halved)
Genetic identity	Genetically identical	Genetically different
Where	Most body cells	Reproductive organs

Cell division in past-paper wording

Command word	What the question wants	Typical stem
Define	Precise syllabus definition	”Define meiosis.”
State	Short factual answer	”State the number of cells produced by mitosis.”
Explain	Cause and effect	”Explain how meiosis produces genetic variation.”
Describe	What happens, step by step	”Describe the outcome of meiosis.”
Compare	Similarities and differences	”Compare mitosis and meiosis.”

Worked exam-style stems

1. “Define the term meiosis.” Meiosis is a type of nuclear division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing four haploid cells from one diploid cell. Reward: reduction + haploid + four cells.
2. “State the role of mitosis.” Growth, repair of tissues, and asexual reproduction — producing genetically identical diploid cells. Reward: at least two valid roles.
3. “Compare mitosis and meiosis.” Mitosis: one division, two diploid, genetically identical cells for growth. Meiosis: two divisions, four haploid, genetically different cells for gametes. Reward: purpose, divisions, chromosome number, genetic identity.

Practise on the Cell Division quiz.

How cell division connects to the syllabus

Cell division links to Asexual and Sexual Reproduction, Chromosomes and Genes and Monohybrid Inheritance. The Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science resource hub links every Inheritance subtopic.

Common mistakes students make

• Describing mitosis when the question asks about gamete formation.
• Saying meiosis produces two cells (it produces four haploid cells).
• Omitting genetic variation in meiosis explain answers.
• Confusing haploid (half) with diploid (full set).
• Stating meiosis occurs in all body cells (it occurs in reproductive organs).

When you need more support

If mitosis vs meiosis compare questions keep costing marks, work through the Cell Division quiz, then get help from a Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science tutor.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis? Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells for growth; meiosis produces four genetically different haploid gametes.

Why is meiosis called reduction division? It halves the chromosome number so gametes are haploid.

Where does meiosis occur? In the reproductive organs (ovaries and testes in humans).

How do I revise cell division effectively? Learn the comparison table, link each type to reproduction, practise define and compare stems, then take the quiz.

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