1. Locate
Which part of a typical body cell contains chromosomes?
Help beside the question
Read or point first. Use the cell diagram: membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus.
Answer guidance
The nucleus.
Cell cycle: copy, check, divide
Learning objective
Distinguish interphase, mitosis and cytokinesis, and explain why DNA is copied before division.
40 minutes · one route · start from what you show today. Point, speak, sign, draw, write or direct an adult. An adult may read or scribe your exact words. Choose one route; do not complete all three.
LAUNCH · GCSE BIOLOGY FOUNDATION · W9 · LESSON 1 · 4 MINUTES
Four clues to start
Supported · 4 questions
2. Prepare
What must happen to DNA before the cell divides?
Help beside the question
Read or point first. Think about giving each new cell a full set.
Answer guidance
DNA must be copied.
3. Cell number
One cell divides once. How many daughter cells form?
Help beside the question
Read or point first. Count the final outlines, not the chromosomes.
Answer guidance
Two.
4. Reason
Why does a healing cut need new cells?
Help beside the question
Read or point first. Connect replacement with repair.
Answer guidance
New cells replace damaged or lost cells.
Standard · 4 questions
1. Locate
Which part of a typical body cell contains chromosomes?
Help beside the question
Use the cell diagram: membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus.
Answer guidance
The nucleus.
2. Prepare
What must happen to DNA before the cell divides?
Help beside the question
Think about giving each new cell a full set.
Answer guidance
DNA must be copied.
3. Cell number
One cell divides once. How many daughter cells form?
Help beside the question
Count the final outlines, not the chromosomes.
Answer guidance
Two.
4. Reason
Why does a healing cut need new cells?
Help beside the question
Connect replacement with repair.
Answer guidance
New cells replace damaged or lost cells.
Stretch · 4 questions
1. Locate
Which part of a typical body cell contains chromosomes?
Help beside the question
Use the cell diagram: membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus.
Answer guidance
The nucleus.
2. Prepare
What must happen to DNA before the cell divides?
Help beside the question
Think about giving each new cell a full set.
Answer guidance
DNA must be copied.
3. Cell number
One cell divides once. How many daughter cells form?
Help beside the question
Count the final outlines, not the chromosomes.
Answer guidance
Two.
4. Reason
Why does a healing cut need new cells? Give a reason.
Help beside the question
Connect replacement with repair.
Answer guidance
New cells replace damaged or lost cells. Accept a scientifically correct reason that uses the relevant model or evidence.
LAUNCH · GCSE BIOLOGY FOUNDATION · W9 · LESSON 1 · 4 MINUTES
Choose a first idea
A cell has copied its DNA. Has it already become two cells?
Think or discuss first. No answer chosen yet.
LAUNCH · GCSE BIOLOGY FOUNDATION · W9 · LESSON 1 · 5 MINUTES
Watch the model
During interphase the cell grows and copies its DNA. Each replicated chromosome has two joined sister chromatids.
Worked explanation · reveal after thinking
This schematic uses four chromosomes, not the human number. A replicated X is one chromosome with two sister chromatids. After chromatids separate, each is a chromosome. DNA copying does not mean each daughter cell has twice the chromosome number. The full cycle includes interphase, mitosis and cytokinesis. Interphase chromosome symbols show DNA copies schematically; the chromosomes are not normally visibly condensed at this stage.
32-second silent captioned explainer · optional
No sound or autoplay. Use instead of part of the modelling time, not as an extra activity.
Full transcript
Prepare and copy. During interphase the cell grows and copies its DNA. Each replicated chromosome has two joined sister chromatids.
Line up. During metaphase the replicated chromosomes line up at the centre of the cell.
Separate copies. During anaphase sister chromatids separate. One copy of each chromosome moves to each end.
Divide the cell. Nuclei reform and the cytoplasm divides. Two daughter cells each receive the same chromosome set.
LAUNCH · GCSE BIOLOGY FOUNDATION · W9 · LESSON 1 · 5 MINUTES
Sort using the evidence
Choose a card, then choose a group. Explain one placement using its clue.
Drag, or use Tab and Enter to select a card and its group. Pointing or adult-directed placement works too.
Before mitosis
Mitosis
Cytokinesis
Choose a card first.
Read the card clues
DNA is copied: Copying prepares identical genetic information for each daughter cell.
The cell grows: Growth happens during interphase.
Chromosomes line up: Metaphase is part of mitosis.
Chromosome copies separate: Anaphase separates the copied information.
Nuclei reform: Telophase completes nuclear division.
Cytoplasm divides: Cytokinesis forms two separate cells.
Would a small change help? · optional
Ask the lesson teacher for clearer labels, fewer cards, reading help, an adult-directed model or more thinking time. Your teacher will explain what can change, try it and check its effect. Ask privately or pass; no extra form is needed.
Group explanations · reveal after sorting
DNA is copied → Before mitosis. Copying prepares identical genetic information for each daughter cell.
The cell grows → Before mitosis. Growth happens during interphase.
Chromosomes line up → Mitosis. Metaphase is part of mitosis.
Chromosome copies separate → Mitosis. Anaphase separates the copied information.
Nuclei reform → Mitosis. Telophase completes nuclear division.
Cytoplasm divides → Cytokinesis. Cytokinesis forms two separate cells.
LAUNCH · GCSE BIOLOGY FOUNDATION · W9 · LESSON 1 · 4 MINUTES
Work through one example
Worked example
A parent model has 2 chromosomes. Explain why it copies DNA before dividing.
Step 1
Notice the starting set: 2 chromosomes.
Step 2
Copy the DNA during interphase: each chromosome now has two sister chromatids.
Step 3
Separate one copy of each to each new nucleus.
Step 4
Each daughter receives 2 chromosomes: a complete matching set.
LAUNCH · GCSE BIOLOGY FOUNDATION · W9 · LESSON 1 · 4 MINUTES
Build a complete cycle
Use the six evidence cards to make a timeline. Add an arrow showing where DNA is copied. Explain why “mitosis means the whole cell cycle” is inaccurate.
| Stage | Evidence to place |
|---|---|
| Interphase | Cell grows; DNA is copied |
| Mitosis | Chromosomes line up and separate; nuclei reform |
| Cytokinesis | Cytoplasm divides |
Worked explanation · reveal after thinking
Interphase prepares the cell; mitosis divides the nucleus; cytokinesis divides the cytoplasm. The cell cycle includes all three, so mitosis alone is not the whole cycle.
LAUNCH · GCSE BIOLOGY FOUNDATION · W9 · LESSON 1 · 10 MINUTES
Show your understanding
Supported · choose one route
1. Sequence
Draw or arrange the three main parts of the cycle.
Arrange these labels: cytokinesis / interphase / mitosis. Say: first ___, then ___, finally ___.
2. Explain
Explain why copying DNA after division would be a problem.
Use this frame: DNA must be copied before ___ so that each new cell receives ___.
3. Apply
A tissue has 8 cells. Each divides once. How many cells result?
Draw eight parent circles. Put two daughter dots beside each. Count the daughter dots.
Standard · choose one route
1. Sequence
Draw or arrange the three main parts of the cycle.
Use the three group labels.
2. Explain
Explain why copying DNA after division would be a problem.
Consider what each new cell needs at division.
3. Apply
A tissue has 8 cells. Each divides once. How many cells result?
Each parent cell makes two cells.
Stretch · choose one route
1. Sequence
Draw or arrange the three main parts of the cycle.
Use the three group labels.
2. Explain
Explain why copying DNA after division would be a problem.
Consider what each new cell needs at division.
3. Critique
“An X-shaped chromosome means the chromosome number has doubled.” Correct this.
Distinguish one chromosome from two joined chromatids.
LAUNCH · GCSE BIOLOGY FOUNDATION · W9 · LESSON 1 · 4 MINUTES
Two small checks
Supported · 2 questions
1. Order
Put these in order: mitosis / DNA copying / cytokinesis.
Help beside the question
Point or arrange first. Use: first ___, then ___, finally ___. Copy first; divide the cytoplasm last.
Answer guidance
DNA copying in interphase → mitosis → cytokinesis.
2. Explain
Why is DNA copied before mitosis?
Help beside the question
Use: my answer is ___ because ___. Point to a model or card first. Each new nucleus needs…
Answer guidance
So each daughter nucleus can receive a complete, identical chromosome set.
Standard · 2 questions
1. Order
Put these in order: mitosis / DNA copying / cytokinesis.
Help beside the question
Copy first; divide the cytoplasm last.
Answer guidance
DNA copying in interphase → mitosis → cytokinesis.
2. Explain
Why is DNA copied before mitosis?
Help beside the question
Each new nucleus needs…
Answer guidance
So each daughter nucleus can receive a complete, identical chromosome set.
Stretch · 2 questions
1. Order
Put these in order: mitosis / DNA copying / cytokinesis.
Help beside the question
Copy first; divide the cytoplasm last.
Answer guidance
DNA copying in interphase → mitosis → cytokinesis.
2. Critique
“An X-shaped chromosome means the chromosome number has doubled.” Correct this.
Help beside the question
Distinguish one chromosome from two joined chromatids.
Answer guidance
A replicated X is one chromosome with two joined sister chromatids. The amount of DNA has doubled, but the chromosome count has not doubled at this point.
Keep one useful science explanation. No additional participation record is required.