Question 1
Paper 4 short-answer style1 markState how many daughter cells are produced from one parent cell by mitosis. (1 mark)
Model answer
Two.
Why this scores
One mark for 'two'.
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Detailed notes on Inheritance for Cambridge IGCSE Biology, covering key concepts, explanations, examples, and exam-focused revision points.
Cell division for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. One cell → two identical copies.
Mapped to the Cambridge IGCSE 0610 syllabus (2026-2028).
One cell becomes two identical copies. Same chromosomes, same DNA.
Definition. Mitosis = nuclear division producing TWO genetically IDENTICAL daughter cells with the SAME chromosome number as the parent cell.
The big picture:
Key feature. No genetic shuffling. Daughters are CLONES of each other and the parent.
Worked qualitative. How can a single fertilised egg (zygote) produce trillions of cells in your body, all with the SAME genetic information?
Cambridge tip. Always say 'identical' AND 'same chromosome number'. Both phrases earn marks.
Growth, repair, asexual reproduction. Without mitosis, multicellular life couldn't exist.
1. Growth.
2. Repair.
3. Asexual reproduction.
Stem cells.
Worked qualitative. Why can the LIVER regenerate after damage but the HEART can't?
Cambridge tip. Three uses: growth, repair, asexual reproduction. Memorise.
Verbatim phrases and definitions Cambridge mark schemes credit.
Mitosis appears Paper 4 (3-5 marks: define + state uses; contrast with meiosis). Examiner reports flag students mixing mitosis and meiosis, and saying mitosis produces variation.
Sources: Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus 2026-2028 (17.3); 0610/42 May/Jun 2024 — Q19 (mitosis); 0610 Examiner Reports 2022-2024. Last reviewed 2026-05-07.
Step-by-step solutions to past-paper-style questions on mitosis, written exactly the way a tutor would explain them at the board.
Question
Define mitosis and state its outcome.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1
Mitosis is nuclear division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells.
Step 2
Each daughter cell has the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
Step 3
Before mitosis, the DNA is copied, so each daughter receives a complete, identical set of chromosomes.
Answer
Mitosis produces two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same chromosome number as the parent cell.
Question
State three uses of mitosis in living organisms.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1
Growth — increasing the number of cells in a multicellular organism.
Step 2
Repair — replacing cells that are damaged or worn out (e.g. skin, blood cells).
Step 3
Asexual reproduction — producing genetically identical offspring.
Answer
Growth, repair (replacing cells), and asexual reproduction.
Question
Explain why the two cells produced by mitosis are genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1
Before mitosis, the DNA in the parent cell is copied (replicated), making an exact copy of each chromosome.
Step 2
During mitosis, the copies are separated so that one of each goes into each daughter cell.
Step 3
So each daughter cell receives a complete, identical set of chromosomes.
Step 4
Because the DNA was copied exactly, the daughter cells have the same genes as each other and as the parent — they are genetically identical.
Answer
The DNA is copied exactly before mitosis, and the copies are shared equally, so each daughter cell gets an identical set of chromosomes and the same genes as the parent.
Examiner tip
The key points: DNA copied exactly; copies separated equally; identical chromosomes/genes in each cell.
Question
Describe what a stem cell is and give one example of its importance.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1
A stem cell is an unspecialised cell that can divide by mitosis to produce many cells.
Step 2
These cells can then become specialised (differentiate) into different types of cell.
Step 3
In animals, stem cells (e.g. in the bone marrow) produce new cells for growth and the repair/replacement of cells such as red blood cells.
Step 4
In plants, stem cells in the growing tips (meristems) divide to produce new cells for the plant to grow.
Answer
A stem cell is an unspecialised cell that divides by mitosis and can become specialised. They are important for growth and for replacing cells (e.g. blood cells from bone marrow).
Question
Explain why it is important that the cells produced for growth and repair are genetically identical.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1
Mitosis produces cells that are genetically identical to the existing cells.
Step 2
For growth, the new cells need the same genes so they can become the correct types of cell and work as part of the body.
Step 3
For repair, a damaged tissue must be replaced with exactly the same kind of cell, so identical cells are needed.
Step 4
If the cells were genetically different, they might not function correctly or might not fit into the tissue — so producing identical cells keeps the organism working properly.
Answer
Growth and repair need new cells that are the same as the existing ones, so they work correctly and fit into the tissue. Mitosis produces genetically identical cells, which is exactly what is required.
Examiner tip
Link 'genetically identical' to the need for new cells to be the right type and to function as part of the body.
Question
Explain how mitosis is involved in asexual reproduction, and why the offspring are clones.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1
In asexual reproduction there is one parent and no fusion of gametes.
Step 2
The new individuals are produced by mitosis, in which the parent's DNA is copied exactly and shared between identical cells.
Step 3
So the offspring receive an exact copy of the parent's genes.
Step 4
Because they are genetically identical to the parent and to each other, the offspring are clones.
Answer
Asexual reproduction uses mitosis, which copies the DNA exactly, so the offspring have identical genes to the parent — they are clones.
Examiner tip
Mitosis links to asexual reproduction (and cloning) because it makes genetically identical cells.
High-scoring sample answers for mitosis on the Cambridge IGCSE 0610 paper, with examiner-style notes mapping each response to the mark scheme and assessment objectives.
State how many daughter cells are produced from one parent cell by mitosis. (1 mark)
Model answer
Two.
Why this scores
One mark for 'two'.
State two uses of mitosis in a living organism. (2 marks)
Model answer
Growth (increasing cell number) and repair (replacing damaged or worn-out cells). (Asexual reproduction is also accepted.)
Why this scores
Two distinct uses: growth; repair/replacement of cells; asexual reproduction.
Explain why the cells produced by mitosis are genetically identical to the parent cell. (3 marks)
Model answer
Before mitosis, the DNA is copied exactly, so there is a complete copy of each chromosome. During mitosis, the copies are separated equally, so each daughter cell receives a complete, identical set of chromosomes — and therefore the same genes as the parent.
Why this scores
Three marks: DNA copied exactly; copies separated equally; each daughter gets an identical set / same genes.
Describe what is meant by a stem cell and state one way stem cells are important in the body. (4 marks)
Model answer
A stem cell is an unspecialised cell that can divide by mitosis to produce many new cells, and these cells can then become specialised into different types of cell. Stem cells are important because they provide a source of new cells for growth and for the repair and replacement of cells — for example, stem cells in the bone marrow continually produce new red and white blood cells.
Why this scores
Four marks: unspecialised cell; divides by mitosis; can become specialised; importance (growth / repair / e.g. bone marrow blood cells).
Explain the importance of mitosis in the growth and repair of a multicellular organism. (5 marks)
Model answer
Mitosis produces two genetically identical daughter cells from each parent cell, each with the same number of chromosomes. For growth, mitosis increases the number of cells in the organism, and because the new cells are genetically identical they have the same genes and can become the correct types of cell as the organism develops. For repair, mitosis replaces cells that have been damaged or worn out with new cells that are identical to the originals, so the tissue can continue to function correctly. Because the new cells are exact copies, the organism grows and is repaired with cells that work properly as part of the body.
Why this scores
Five marks: produces identical cells with the same chromosome number; growth = more cells; repair = replaces damaged/worn cells; identical cells so they are the correct type/function correctly.
Describe the outcome of mitosis and explain why it is important for growth, repair and asexual reproduction. (6 marks)
Model answer
Mitosis is a nuclear division that produces two daughter cells that are genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell, each with the same number of chromosomes. This happens because the DNA is copied exactly before division and the copies are then shared equally between the two cells. This outcome is important for growth, because the organism needs to increase its number of cells, and the identical new cells can become the right types of cell. It is important for repair, because cells that are damaged or worn out must be replaced with identical cells so the tissue keeps working properly. It is also the basis of asexual reproduction: because mitosis copies the genes exactly, the offspring are genetically identical to the parent (clones). In all three cases, producing genetically identical cells is exactly what is needed.
Why this scores
Up to 6 marks: two genetically identical daughter cells / same chromosome number; DNA copied exactly and shared equally; growth = more cells; repair = replace damaged cells; asexual reproduction = identical offspring/clones; identical cells needed throughout.
Definitions to memorise and the exact keywords mark schemes credit for mitosis answers — sharpened from recent examiner reports for the 2026 0610 sitting.
Nuclear division producing two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same chromosome number as the parent cell.
An unspecialised cell that divides by mitosis to produce cells that can become specialised. Used for growth and to replace cells.
The exact copying of DNA before mitosis, so that each daughter cell receives a complete, identical set of chromosomes.
The traps other students keep falling into on mitosis questions — taken from recent Cambridge IGCSE 0610 examiner reports and mark schemes — and how to avoid them.
Why it happens
Both are types of cell division.
How to avoid it
Mitosis = 2 genetically IDENTICAL daughters with the SAME chromosome number (growth/repair). Meiosis = 4 genetically DIFFERENT daughters with HALF the chromosome number (gametes).
Why it happens
Cell division can sound creative.
How to avoid it
Mitosis produces IDENTICAL cells. Variation comes from meiosis and sexual reproduction.
Why it happens
Students mix it up with meiosis.
How to avoid it
Mitosis KEEPS the chromosome number the same. Only meiosis halves it.
The things students keep getting wrong in this sub-topic, answered.