medium importancemedium difficulty4 min

Cell Division

Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides to form new cells, mainly through mitosis or meiosis.

In one line: Mitosis maintains; meiosis makes gametes.

Understand it

Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells with the same chromosome number and is used for growth, repair, and replacement. Meiosis produces gametes with half the chromosome number, helping maintain chromosome number across generations after fertilisation.

Example

Skin cells divide by mitosis for repair, while reproductive organs form gametes by meiosis.

Rule to remember

Mitosis: 1 parent cell forms 2 similar daughter cells.

Meiosis: 1 parent cell forms gametes with half chromosome number.

See it worked out

Follow the example line by line, then use the same method on new questions.

Worked example

If a body cell has 46 chromosomes, mitosis forms daughter cells with 46 chromosomes each; meiosis forms gametes with 23 chromosomes each.

Method you can reuse

Identify whether the question is about body cells or gametes, then write the division type, number of cells formed, chromosome number, and purpose.

Sketch it in your answer

Use a comparative flow diagram showing mitosis producing two cells and meiosis producing gametes with reduced chromosome number.

Check yourself

Answer the question in your head before opening the answer.

Try it yourself

How is mitosis different from meiosis in outcome?

Think first, then show answer

Mitosis forms two identical daughter cells with the same chromosome number, while meiosis forms gametes with half the chromosome number.

Common wrong answer

Writing that mitosis halves chromosome number.

Why it loses marks: Mitosis maintains chromosome number in daughter cells.

Don't mix this up

Students often write that meiosis produces two identical cells, but meiosis produces four genetically different gametes with half the chromosome number.

Exam tip

In comparison questions, always write number of daughter cells, chromosome number, and purpose.

Cell Division diagram

Open full screen to read every label clearly.

Write it in the exam

Each point is worth about one mark. Write point 1 for a 1-mark question and keep adding points as the marks go up.

How CBSE asks it

Exams may ask differences between mitosis and meiosis or why meiosis is important for sexual reproduction.

1
Enough for 1 mark
Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides to form new cells, mainly through mitosis or meiosis.
2
Add for 2 marks
Example: Skin cells divide by mitosis for repair, while reproductive organs form gametes by meiosis.
3
Add for 3 marks
Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells with the same chromosome number and is used for growth, repair, and replacement.

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