10th Grade Biology Quiz: Cell Division

Standard: HS-LS1-4 | Total Points: 100 | Time Estimate: 40-45 minutes

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Name: _________________________ Date: _____________ Period: _____

Standard Assessed: HS-LS1-4 – Use a model to illustrate the role of cellular division (mitosis) and differentiation in producing and maintaining complex organisms.

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SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE (36 points – 3 points each)

Select the BEST answer for each question.

1. What is the primary purpose of mitosis in multicellular organisms?

a) To create genetic diversity
b) To produce gametes for reproduction
c) To allow growth and replace damaged cells
d) To reduce the chromosome number by half

[DOK 1 – Recall]

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2. A single fertilized egg develops into an organism with trillions of cells. Which process is directly responsible for this increase in cell number?

a) Meiosis
b) Mitosis
c) Fertilization
d) Differentiation only

[DOK 2 – Application]

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3. During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?

a) Prophase
b) Metaphase
c) Interphase (S phase)
d) Anaphase

[DOK 1 – Recall]

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4. After mitosis is complete, how do the two daughter cells compare to the original parent cell?

a) They each have half the genetic information
b) They are genetically identical to the parent cell
c) They have twice as many chromosomes
d) They have different combinations of genes

[DOK 2 – Application]

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5. A skin cell in your body undergoes mitosis. The original cell has 46 chromosomes. How many chromosomes will each daughter cell have?

a) 23 chromosomes
b) 46 chromosomes
c) 92 chromosomes
d) 12 chromosomes

[DOK 2 – Application]

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6. Which statement BEST explains the relationship between mitosis and the cell cycle?

a) Mitosis and the cell cycle are the same thing
b) Mitosis is one phase of the larger cell cycle
c) The cell cycle occurs only during mitosis
d) Mitosis occurs before the cell cycle begins

[DOK 2 – Application]

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SECTION B: TRUE/FALSE (12 points – 2 points each)

Write T for True or F for False.

7. _____ Interphase is a “resting phase” where the cell is inactive.

8. _____ All cells in a complex organism have the same DNA, even though they look and function differently.

9. _____ The phases of mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase) are discrete, separate events that occur with clear pauses between each phase.

10. _____ Cytokinesis is technically a separate process from mitosis, though they usually occur together.

11. _____ Only animal cells undergo cell division; plant cells do not have a cell cycle.

12. _____ A single-celled zygote uses mitosis to eventually become a multicellular organism.

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SECTION C: MATCHING (12 points – 2 points each)

Match each term with its correct description. Write the letter on the line.

Term	Description
13. _____ Mitosis	A. The process by which cells become specialized for specific functions
14. _____ Differentiation	B. Division of the cytoplasm to form two separate cells
15. _____ Interphase	C. The period of the cell cycle where the cell grows and DNA is replicated
16. _____ Cytokinesis	D. Nuclear division that produces two genetically identical nuclei
17. _____ Cell Cycle	E. A cell that has not yet specialized
18. _____ Stem Cell	F. The complete sequence of events from one cell division to the next

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SECTION D: SHORT ANSWER (40 points)

19. (10 points) A human starts as a single fertilized egg cell. Explain how cellular division (mitosis) and differentiation work together to produce a complex organism with specialized tissues like muscle, nerve, and skin cells.

Your response should address:

• The role of mitosis in increasing cell number
• How cells become specialized despite having identical DNA
• Why both processes are necessary for a complex organism

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[DOK 3 – Analysis]

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20. (10 points) A student claims: “Mitosis creates genetic diversity because the daughter cells are different from each other.” Evaluate this claim. Is it correct or incorrect? Explain your reasoning using evidence about how mitosis works.

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[DOK 3 – Analysis]

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21. (10 points) The diagram below represents a simplified model of the cell cycle.

[INTERPHASE] ──→ [MITOSIS] ──→ [CYTOKINESIS] ──→ [INTERPHASE]
   (G1, S, G2)      (P,M,A,T)        │                  │
                                     └──────────────────┘

Based on this model:

• Which portion of the cell cycle takes the longest amount of time?
• What specific event happens during the “S” portion of interphase?
• Why is interphase NOT considered a “resting phase”?

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[DOK 2 – Application]

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22. (10 points) Compare and contrast a skin cell and a nerve cell in your body. They both came from the same original fertilized egg. Explain:

• What do they have in common genetically?
• What makes them different in structure and function?
• What cellular process is responsible for their differences?

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[DOK 3 – Analysis]

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ANSWER KEY

SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE (36 points)

Q	Answer	Explanation
1	C	Mitosis allows organisms to grow by adding new cells and to repair/replace damaged tissue. Meiosis creates genetic diversity (A is incorrect); meiosis produces gametes (B is incorrect); meiosis reduces chromosome number (D is incorrect).
2	B	Mitosis is the process of cell division that increases cell number. Meiosis produces gametes (not for growth). Differentiation changes cell type but doesn’t increase number.
3	C	DNA replication occurs during the S (synthesis) phase of interphase, BEFORE mitosis begins. This is a common misconception—students often think replication happens during prophase.
4	B	Mitosis produces two genetically identical daughter cells. Each has the same genetic information as the parent cell. Meiosis (not mitosis) produces cells with half the genetic material.
5	B	Mitosis maintains chromosome number. The parent cell has 46 chromosomes, so each daughter cell also has 46 chromosomes. Only meiosis produces cells with 23 chromosomes.
6	B	Mitosis is one phase within the larger cell cycle. The cell cycle includes interphase (G1, S, G2), mitosis, and cytokinesis. This addresses the common misconception that mitosis = cell cycle.

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SECTION B: TRUE/FALSE (12 points)

Q	Answer	Explanation
7	F	Interphase is the most active phase of the cell cycle—the cell grows, replicates DNA, and prepares for division. The term “resting phase” is a common misconception.
8	T	All cells contain the same DNA (they all came from the same fertilized egg via mitosis). Differences in cell structure/function come from which genes are expressed, not from different DNA.
9	F	Mitosis is a continuous process. The phases (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase) are named for convenience of study, but they flow continuously into one another.
10	T	Cytokinesis (division of cytoplasm) is a separate process from mitosis (division of the nucleus), though they typically occur in sequence.
11	F	All living organisms undergo cell division, including plants. Plant cells divide using mitosis, though cytokinesis differs (cell plate vs. cleavage furrow).
12	T	A single-celled zygote divides repeatedly via mitosis to produce the trillions of cells in a multicellular organism.

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SECTION C: MATCHING (12 points)

Q	Answer
13	D – Mitosis is nuclear division producing identical nuclei
14	A – Differentiation is cells becoming specialized
15	C – Interphase is the growth and DNA replication period
16	B – Cytokinesis is cytoplasm division
17	F – Cell Cycle is the complete sequence of events
18	E – Stem Cell is an unspecialized cell

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SECTION D: SHORT ANSWER (40 points)

Question 19 – Sample Exemplar Response (10 points):

A human begins as a single fertilized egg (zygote). Through mitosis, this one cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells, which then divide again and again. This repeated cell division dramatically increases cell number, allowing the organism to grow from one cell to trillions of cells.

However, mitosis alone would just create a mass of identical cells. Differentiation is the process where cells become specialized for specific functions. Even though all cells contain identical DNA (since they all came from the same zygote via mitosis), different genes are turned on or off in different cells based on chemical signals and their location in the developing organism. This causes some cells to become muscle cells, others to become nerve cells, and others to become skin cells.

Both processes are necessary: mitosis provides the raw materials (many cells), while differentiation organizes those cells into specialized tissues and organs that work together to maintain the complex organism.

Grading Rubric:

• 10 points: Explains mitosis role in cell number increase, explains differentiation with same DNA/different gene expression, and explains why both are necessary
• 7-8 points: Explains two of the three components correctly
• 4-6 points: Basic understanding with some gaps or minor errors
• 1-3 points: Minimal understanding shown
• 0 points: Incorrect or no response

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Question 20 – Sample Exemplar Response (10 points):

This claim is incorrect. Mitosis does NOT create genetic diversity. During mitosis, DNA is replicated exactly, and the chromosomes are divided equally so that each daughter cell receives an identical copy of the parent cell’s genetic information. The two daughter cells are genetically identical to each other AND to the original parent cell.

The student may be confusing mitosis with meiosis. Meiosis is the type of cell division that creates genetic diversity through crossing over and independent assortment. Mitosis is designed for growth and repair, where having identical copies is important—you want your new skin cells to be genetically identical to your existing skin cells, not different.

Grading Rubric:

• 10 points: Correctly identifies claim as incorrect, explains that mitosis produces identical cells, and distinguishes from meiosis
• 7-8 points: Correctly identifies claim as incorrect with good explanation
• 4-6 points: Identifies claim is wrong but explanation is incomplete
• 1-3 points: Partial understanding
• 0 points: States claim is correct or no response

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Question 21 – Sample Exemplar Response (10 points):

Longest portion: Interphase takes the longest time. In a typical human cell dividing every 24 hours, interphase lasts about 23 hours, while mitosis takes only about 1 hour.

S phase event: DNA replication (synthesis) occurs during the S phase. The cell copies all of its chromosomes so it has duplicate copies ready to be divided during mitosis.

Not a “resting phase”: Interphase is actually the most active phase of the cell cycle. During G1, the cell grows and performs its normal functions. During S, DNA is replicated (a complex process requiring many enzymes). During G2, the cell continues growing and prepares for division by synthesizing proteins needed for mitosis. The cell is constantly working during interphase—it’s only “resting” from the visible activity of chromosome separation.

Grading Rubric:

• 10 points: Correctly answers all three parts with explanation
• 7-8 points: Correctly answers all three parts with minimal explanation
• 4-6 points: Correctly answers two parts
• 1-3 points: Correctly answers one part
• 0 points: No correct responses

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Question 22 – Sample Exemplar Response (10 points):

Genetic Commonality: A skin cell and a nerve cell have the same DNA. Both originated from the same fertilized egg through mitosis, which produces genetically identical daughter cells. Every cell in the body contains the complete genetic instructions.

Structural/Functional Differences: Skin cells are flat, tightly packed, and form protective layers. They produce keratin and are regularly replaced. Nerve cells have long axons and dendrites for transmitting electrical signals, and they typically don’t divide once mature. Their shapes and functions are completely different.

Process Responsible: Differentiation is responsible for these differences. Although both cells have the same DNA, different genes are expressed in each cell type. In skin cells, genes for keratin production are active. In nerve cells, genes for neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels are active. Chemical signals during development determine which genes are turned on or off in each cell.

Grading Rubric:

• 10 points: Correctly explains same DNA, identifies specific differences, and explains differentiation with gene expression
• 7-8 points: Addresses all three parts with minor gaps
• 4-6 points: Addresses two parts correctly
• 1-3 points: Limited understanding shown
• 0 points: Incorrect or no response

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GRADING SUMMARY

Section	Points
Section A: Multiple Choice	36
Section B: True/False	12
Section C: Matching	12
Section D: Short Answer	40
TOTAL	100

Grade Scale:

• A: 90-100 points
• B: 80-89 points
• C: 70-79 points
• D: 60-69 points
• F: Below 60 points

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TEACHER NOTES

Standards Alignment: This assessment fully addresses HS-LS1-4 by assessing students’ understanding of:

• The role of cellular division (mitosis) in producing and maintaining complex organisms
• The relationship between mitosis and differentiation
• How organisms develop from a single cell to a complex multicellular organism

DOK Distribution:

• DOK 1 (Recall): ~25% (Questions 1, 3, 7-12, 13-18)
• DOK 2 (Application): ~35% (Questions 2, 4, 5, 6, 21)
• DOK 3 (Analysis): ~40% (Questions 19, 20, 22)

Common Misconceptions Addressed:

• Interphase as a “resting phase” (Q7, Q21)
• Mitosis = cell cycle (Q6)
• DNA replication during prophase (Q3)
• Mitosis produces genetic diversity (Q20)
• Chromosome number changes in mitosis (Q4, Q5)
• Phases of mitosis are discrete events (Q9)

Assessment Boundary Note: Per NGSS guidelines, this assessment does not include specific gene control mechanisms or rote memorization of the steps of mitosis.

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Sources:

• HS-LS1-4 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes | Next Generation Science Standards
• HS-LS1-4: Cellular Division and Differentiation | The Wonder of Science
• Teaching the Cell Cycle and Mitosis | Carolina Knowledge Center