Quelpr

Cell Division and Variation · CAPE Biology Unit 1

105 past-paper questions on Cell Division and Variation, part of Genetics, Variation and Natural Selection, from every CAPE Biology Unit 1 paper on Quelpr.

Practise Cell Division and Variation
  1. 2(a)1 mark· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(a)Figure 3 is a diagram of a cell with four chromosomes (haploid number = 2) during the process of meiosis.
  2. 2(a)6 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(a)Identify the stage of mitosis seen in the diagrammatic representation of the cells labelled A, B and C. State ONE characteristic feature of EACH of the stages identified. A B C
  3. 2(a)6 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(a)In the spaces provided make representative drawings of the cells and nuclear contents showing the stages labelled in Figure 1 as A and B. Drawings should be at X3. Identify the stages drawn. A Identity B Identity
  4. 2(a)(i)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(a)(i)Illustrate ONE pair of homologous chromosomes aligning themselves. Illustrate ONE cross-over between two of the chromatids.
  5. 2(a)(i)1 mark· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(a)(i)Name the stage of meiosis illustrated in Figure 3.
  6. 2(a)(ii)4 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(a)(ii)Distinguish between the terms 'chromatin' and 'chromosome'.
  7. 2(a)(ii)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(a)(ii)Draw early anaphase of meiosis I, showing the exchanged chromatid material. (Shade appropriately).
  8. 2(a)(ii)6 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(a)(ii)In the boxes below, make labelled sketches to illustrate the next TWO key stages of meiosis in this cell. Write the name of the stages on the lines provided below the boxes.
  9. 2(a)(iii)3 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(a)(iii)Explain how the key stages identified in (a)(i) and (ii) contribute to genetic variation.
  10. 2(b)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(b)State the procedures involved in making a slide preparation of an onion root tip to examine mitosis.
  11. 2(b)3 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(b)In the cell outline below, draw the arrangement of the chromosomes of a cell with a diploid chromosome number of 4 during metaphase 1 of meiosis.
  12. 2(b)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(b)With reference to Figure 2 above, complete Table 2 to show which areas of the sex chromosomes can cross over to form chiasmata. (Place a tick (√) in the appropriate column).
  13. 2(b)3 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(b)State THREE reasons why mitosis is important in the life cycle of a eukaryotic organism.
  14. 2(b)5 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(b)Explain how 'substitution' and 'insertion' result in genetic variation. Discuss how gene mutation causes sickle-cell anaemia.
  15. 2(b)(i)3 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(b)(i)Identify the stages labelled as X, Y and Z.
  16. 2(b)(ii)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(b)(ii)State TWO features of the stage in Meiosis I which comes after Stage Z.
  17. 2(b)(ii)3 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(b)(ii)Identify the cell cycle stages displayed in cells D, E and F in Figure 3.
  18. 2(b)(iii)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(b)(iii)Explain how the events shown in Stage X of Meiosis I contribute to heritable variation.
  19. 2(c)3 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(c)Complete Table 1 to identify the key differences between the processes mitosis and meiosis.
  20. 2(c)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(c)State FOUR locations (other than the root tip) where mitosis occurs in plants.
  21. 2(c)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(c)State TWO ways in which the process of meiosis contributes towards the variation of the gametes.
  22. 2(c)6 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(c)In the labelled boxes provided in Figure 3, DRAW three consecutive phases to illustrate the MAIN changes that occur between the two phases shown.
  23. 2(d)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(d)Place a tick (√) in the column which shows the amount of DNA present at the stage of meiosis listed.
  24. 2(d)(i)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(d)(i)Name the process which chromosomes must undergo prior to nuclear division and state at what stage of the cell cycle this takes place. Process Stage
  25. 2(d)(ii)1 mark· Biology · Unit 1 Q2 2(d)(ii)State ONE reason why the process named in (d)(i) is necessary.
  26. 5(a)(i)4 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q5 5(a)(i)Distinguish between the terms ‘gene mutation' and ‘chromosome mutation'.
  27. 5(a)(i)6 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q5 5(a)(i)Outline the stages in Meiosis 1 and comment on the importance of this phase of meiosis.
  28. 5(a)(i)3 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q5 5(a)(i)Sexual reproduction greatly increases the genetic variation in a population. Define 'genetic variation' and describe TWO sources of variation in sexually reproducing organisms.
  29. 5(a)(ii)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q5 5(a)(ii)Define 'mutation' and state in which cells of the organism mutations occur.
  30. 5(a)(ii)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q5 5(a)(ii)State TWO ways in which daughter cells produced by meiosis differ from those resulting from mitosis.
  31. 5(a)(ii)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q5 5(a)(ii)Briefly comment on why mutation is regarded as a driving force of evolution.
  32. 5(a)(iii)4 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q5 5(a)(iii)"A gene mutation which is the result of a deletion may be more harmful than a mutation resulting from the substitution of one base." Discuss this statement using relevant facts and information.
  33. 6(a)(i)5 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q6 6(a)(i)Using an example with which you are familiar, give an account of the process involved in this type of asexual reproduction.
  34. 6(a)(ii)3 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q6 6(a)(ii)Fungi can also produce offspring by sexual reproduction. Discuss the conditions under which asexual reproduction is more advantageous than sexual reproduction.
  35. 6(b)7 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q6 6(b)Describe the meiotic sequence which occurs in spermatogenesis in the primary spermatocyte from Prophase I to late Anaphase I.
  36. 6(b)4 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q6 6(b)Discuss TWO genetic consequences of sexual reproduction.
  37. 7(a)10 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q7 7(a)Using annotated diagrams only, give an account of the process of meiosis, from Prophase I to Telophase I.
  38. 7(a)10 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q7 7(a)Describe the stages of mitosis and indicate clearly how this process ensures that EACH daughter nucleus receives a full set of chromosomes.
  39. 7(b)6 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q7 7(b)Describe THREE ways in which such variation is made possible during meiosis.
  40. 7(b)4 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q7 7(b)Suggest why this mutation has such severe effects on the individual.
  41. 7(b)(i)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q7 7(b)(i)Discuss why damage to the heart and the nervous system (for example, during a stroke) is dangerous.
  42. 7(b)(ii)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q7 7(b)(ii)Suggest the effects that would occur if mitosis in skin epidermis were blocked.
  43. 7(c)4 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q7 7(c)What type of division is used in asexual reproduction? State TWO advantages and TWO disadvantages of the role of this method of cell division in vegetative propogation.
  44. 7(c)6 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q7 7(c)Explain the degree of genetic variability that occurs among asexually reproducing organisms, self-fertilizing organisms and bisexual (male and female) organisms. Give reasons for the degree of genetic variability that…
  45. 8(c)5 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q8 8(c)Discuss the advantages of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction.
  46. 9(a)(i)2 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q9 9(a)(i)Explain how changes in the genetic content of cells may be due to failure of chromosomes to separate.
  47. 9(a)(ii)8 marks· Biology · Unit 1 Q9 9(a)(ii)Explain how changes in the genetic content of cells may be due to structural changes of the chromosomes. Use diagrams to illustrate your answer to (a)(ii).
  48. Q211 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2007 · Paper 1Which of the following statements correctly describes homologous chromosomes? I. They are the same length. II. They are held together by centromere. III. They have the same gene loci. IV. They have identical alleles.
  49. Q221 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2007 · Paper 1Which of the following combinations correctly represents the chronological order of the events occuring in meiosis? I. Chromatid pairs line up at right-angles to the equatorial plane. II. Homologous chromosomes are…
  50. Q331 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2007 · Paper 1Which of the following does NOT cause variation to occur in a population?
  51. Q341 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2007 · Paper 1Which of the following increases the number of different alleles in a population of organisms?
  52. Q361 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2007 · Paper 1In the Caribbean, sweet potato plants are propagated asexually by tubers. Twenty tubers collected from one plant were grown to produce 20 second-generation plants. All the tubers from these second-generation plants were…
  53. Q211 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2007 (Specimen) · Paper 1Item 21 refers to the following animal cell during meiosis II. Which of the following stages of meiosis II is shown in the diagram above?
  54. Q321 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2007 (Specimen) · Paper 1The characteristic of inflated pea pods is controlled by one allele of a particular gene. The other allele results in constricted pods. Half the pollen grains of a heterozygous pea plant show the characteristic of…
  55. Q371 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2007 (Specimen) · Paper 1In which of the following events is variation NOT involved?
  56. Q191 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2008 (Rest of Region) · Paper 1Item 19 refers to the diagram below which shows a cell at mitotic anaphase. The haploid (n) number of chromosomes for this organism is
  57. Q271 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2008 (Rest of Region) · Paper 1Which form of chromosomal mutation is illustrated in diagrams 1 - 3 below?
  58. Q81 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2009 · Paper 1Which organelle is involved in cytokinesis in plant cells?
  59. Q191 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2009 · Paper 1Structures that may be observed in animal cells during mitosis but are NOT seen during cell division in flowering plants are
  60. Q201 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2009 · Paper 1In a rat cell, there are 32 chromatids present at the beginning of Prophase of mitosis. How many chromatids would there be in the cell at the beginning of meiosis?
  61. Q261 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2009 · Paper 1Which form of gene mutation does the diagram illustrate?
  62. Q271 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2009 · Paper 1After which of the following forms of gene mutation will a change in codons occur? I. Substitution II. Inversion III. Addition IV. Deletion
  63. Q191 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2010 · Paper 1Item 19 refers to the diagram below which shows a cell at mitotic anaphase. The haploid number of chromosomes for this organism is
  64. Q201 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2010 · Paper 1Which of the following statements are true for chromatin but NOT for chromosomes? I. Contain DNA II. Contain protein III. Compact, tightly coiled structures IV. Loosely coiled, long threads
  65. Q211 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2010 · Paper 1In meiosis, chromatids separate by splitting at the centromeres during
  66. Q221 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2010 · Paper 1Which of the following combinations correctly represents the chronological order of the events occurring in meiosis? I. Chromatid pairs line up at right angles to the equatorial plane. II. Homologous chromosomes are…
  67. Q231 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2010 · Paper 1Meiosis contributes to heritable variation as a result of I. random fusion of gametes during fertilization II. independent assortment III. crossing over IV. homologous pairing of chromosomes
  68. Q261 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2010 · Paper 1Which of the following statements is INCORRECT? Mitosis is important in
  69. Q161 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2011 · Paper 1Which of the following statements are true for chromatin but NOT for chromosomes? I. Contain DNA II. Contain protein III. Compact, tightly coiled structures IV. Loosely coiled, long threads
  70. Q201 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2011 · Paper 1Which two of the following features are evident during mitosis? I. Two daughter nuclei containing identical sets of chromosomes. II. Homologous chromosomes come together and crossing over occurs. III. Four daughter…
  71. Q211 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2011 · Paper 1Which of the following is NOT characteristic of meiosis?
  72. Q221 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2011 · Paper 1Item 22 refers to the diagram below showing a pair of homologous chromosomes during Prophase I of meiosis. Which of the following is the genotype of one of the recombinants?
  73. Q271 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2011 · Paper 1Meiosis contributes to heritable variation as a result of I. random fusion of gametes during fertilisation II. independent assortment III. crossing over IV. homologous pairing of chromosomes
  74. Q301 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2011 · Paper 1Item 30 refers to the following diagram showing one stage of mitotic cell division. From the position and shape of the chromosomes, what stage of mitosis has been reached?
  75. Q201 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2012 · Paper 1Which two of the following features are evident during mitosis? I. Two daughter nuclei containing identical sets of chromosomes. II. Homologous chromosomes come together and crossing over occurs. III. Four daughter…
  76. Q211 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2012 · Paper 1In a rat cell, there are 32 chromatids present at the beginning of Prophase of mitosis. How many chromatids would there be in the cell at the beginning of Prophase 1 of meiosis?
  77. Q261 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2012 · Paper 1Which form of mutation does the diagram illustrate?
  78. Q271 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2012 · Paper 1After which of the following forms of gene mutation will a change in codons occur? I. Substitution II. Inversion III. Addition IV. Deletion
  79. Q181 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2013 · Paper 1A gene can be regarded as a specific length of DNA which occupies a position on a chromosome called
  80. Q201 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2013 · Paper 1Which two of the following features are evident during mitosis? I. Two daughter nuclei containing identical sets of chromosomes. II. Homologous chromosomes come together and crossing over occurs. III. Four daughter…
  81. Q211 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2013 · Paper 1Which of the following processes are occurring at A and B?
  82. Q221 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2013 · Paper 1Which of the following is the genotype of one of the recombinants?
  83. Q231 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2013 · Paper 1In gene mutation, the replacement of one nucleotide with another containing a different base is termed
  84. Q271 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2013 · Paper 1Females with only one X chromosome have a condition called Turner Syndrome. This is as a result of
  85. Q301 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2013 · Paper 1From the position and shape of the chromosomes, what stage of mitosis has been reached?
  86. Q191 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2014 · Paper 1Item 19 refers to the following drawings illustrating four stages in mitosis. The correct order of these mitotic stages is
  87. Q201 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2014 · Paper 1Which of the following is NOT true of homologous chromosomes?
  88. Q211 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2014 · Paper 1Item 21 refers to the graph below which represents the relative amounts of DNA per nucleus during many cell divisions in an animal cell. Which of the following processes are occurring at A and B?…
  89. Q251 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2014 · Paper 1Mutations may arise due to non-disjunction of chromosomes. In which of the following would such a mutation be transmitted to the offspring?
  90. Q301 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2014 · Paper 1In sickle-cell anaemia, the sickling of red blood cells is a result of a mutation of
  91. Q211 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2015 · Paper 1Which two of the following features are evident during mitosis? I. Two daughter nuclei containing identical sets of chromosomes. II. Homologous chromosomes come together and crossing over occurs. III. Four daughter…
  92. Q221 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2015 · Paper 1Which of the following is NOT true of most homologous chromosomes?
  93. Q291 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · 2015 · Paper 1Mutations can have varying effects on an organism depending on when it occurs. The occurrence of a mutation has the GREATEST effect during
  94. 2(b)(ii)6 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · May/June 2019 · Paper 2With reference to the mutation in Figure 3, explain how mutation brings about genetic variation at the DNA, protein and cellular level.
  95. 2(b)(i)1 mark· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · May/June 2021 · Paper 2Name the type of change in the gene that causes the production of abnormal haemoglobin in individuals with sickle-cell anaemia.
  96. 2(a)(i)2 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · May/June 2022 · Paper 2In the appropriate spaces provided in Figure 3, make detailed sketches to illustrate the TWO key stages of mitosis in the cell that are NOT shown (Stage II and Stage III).
  97. 2(a)(ii)3 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · May/June 2022 · Paper 2State the name of the missing stages: Stage II, Stage III, Stage IV.
  98. 2(a)(iii)3 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · May/June 2022 · Paper 2Explain how the process of mitosis ensures that each daughter nucleus receives a full set of chromosomes.
  99. 2(a)(i)4 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · May/June 2025 · Paper 2Name EACH of the stages of meiosis labelled P–S in Figure 4.
  100. 2(a)(ii)5 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · May/June 2025 · Paper 2In the box provided, draw a diagram of Stage P as shown in Figure 4.
  101. 2(a)(iii)3 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · May/June 2025 · Paper 2Explain how Stage R shown in Figure 4 produces genetic variation in meiosis.
  102. 2(a)(iv)4 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · May/June 2025 · Paper 2Outline ONE difference between EACH of the following pairs of terms: - Chromatin and chromosome - Haploid and diploid
  103. 2(b)4 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · May/June 2025 · Paper 2Discuss why the formation of a chiasma is important in meiosis but does not occur in mitosis.
  104. 2(b)(i)5 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · May/June 2026 · Paper 2On the grid provided on page 11, plot the data provided in Table 3 as a bar graph, with the mutation type on the x-axis.
  105. 2(b)(ii)3 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 1 · May/June 2026 · Paper 2State THREE possible deductions based on the results of the study shown in Table 3.

Related topics in Genetics, Variation and Natural Selection