The mitotic cell cycle: past paper questions
Real questions on the mitotic cell cycle
The newest 20 of 136 written questions, plus 115 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9700/21 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(i)[1]
Suggest how cell G differs from cells produced during a mitotic cell cycle that has not been disrupted by a nematode. (i)
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(ii)[1]
Nematodes can also stimulate a process called endoreplication. This process causes a plant cell to go through multiple S phases during one cell cycle without entering mitosis or undergoing cytokinesis. State how the nucleus of a cell that has been through endoreplication may differ from the nucleus of a cell in the sam...
See it on the paper → - 9700/43 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[4]
In some species of plant, the absorption of light stimulates seed germination. The absorption of light increases the production of gibberellin in the embryo of a seed. Describe the role of gibberellin in the germination of a seed.
See it on the paper → - 9700/43 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[3]
Complete Table 5.1 to show the features of three cell‑signalling molecules of the endocrine system: antidiuretic hormone (ADH), glucagon and insulin. Use a tick (3) if the molecule has the feature and a cross ( 7 ) if the molecule does not have the feature. Put a tick (3) or a cross ( 7 ) in every box. ADH glucagon ins...
See it on the paper → - 9700/43 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[4]
The endocrine system has a slower transmission speed than the nervous system. Describe other ways in which the endocrine system and the nervous system differ.
See it on the paper → - 9700/43 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(i)[1]
State the letter on Fig. 5.1 that indicates the length of a sarcomere.
See it on the paper → - 9700/43 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(ii)[1]
State the letter on Fig. 5.1 that indicates a region where actin and myosin overlap.
See it on the paper → - 9700/43 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(iii)[4]
Describe and explain how the region labelled D on Fig. 5.1 changes during muscle contraction.
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(ii)[3]
Outline the role of telomeres.
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · May/June 2025 · Q4c[4]
Melanoma is a type of tumour that develops from pigment-producing skin cells known as melanocytes. Outline how a tumour may form from a melanocyte.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · February/March 2025 · Q6a(i)[1]
Place the letters representing the individual cells in the correct sequence of the mitotic cell cycle. The first letter has already been filled in. B
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · February/March 2025 · Q6a(ii)[2]
Cell A in Fig. 6.1 is in one of the main stages of mitosis. Describe the events that occur during this main stage of mitosis.
See it on the paper → - 9700/42 · February/March 2025 · Q5[5]
Fig. 5.1 shows a photomicrograph of a single plant cell in a stage of meiosis. Fig. 5.1 Describe the stage of meiosis shown in Fig. 5.1.
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · October/November 2024 · Q6b[1]
Name the stage of mitosis shown in Fig. 6.1.
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · October/November 2024 · Q6c[2]
Colchicine is a chemical used by scientists to study mitosis. This chemical inhibits the organisation of the microtubules in prophase of mitosis. The cell shown in Fig. 6.1 had not been treated with colchicine. Explain the evidence in Fig. 6.1 that shows the cell had not been treated with colchicine.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4a[1]
Mitosis is important for the repair of tissues. Explain what is meant by repair of tissues.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4b[2]
Uncontrolled cell division is a characteristic feature of tumour formation from a differentiated cell. Describe other features of tumour formation from a fully differentiated cell.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4e[1]
Fig. 4.1 shows that monocytes differentiate into cell type X, which has a similar function to neutrophils. Name cell type X.
See it on the paper → - 9700/23 · October/November 2024 · Q2a(ii)[1]
Name the stage of mitosis shown in cell X in Fig. 2.1.
See it on the paper → - 9700/23 · October/November 2024 · Q2a(iii)[1]
State the part of the cell cycle shown at Y in Fig. 2.1.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates were able to place the letters in the correct sequence.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9700/22 Q6(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Most responses referred correctly to events such as the uncoiling of chromosomes, the formation of a nuclear envelope around each set of chromosomes and the breaking down of the spindle fibres. Some described the appearance of nucleoli in each nucleus.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9700/22 Q6(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Describing the stage of meiosis shown in Fig. 5.1 proved challenging for many candidates. Many did not note the statement that the photomicrograph was of a single plant cell and interpreted the image as two cells in meiosis I. Others considered that the photomicrograph was showing telophase II. Of the candidates recognising the stage as anaphase II, descriptions of the events associated with this...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9700/42 Q5 (Cambridge)
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