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LAUNCH · GCSE Biology · Lesson 4 of 18 · Introduce

Cell Cycle: Copy, Check, Divide

Sequence outcome: Edexcel GCSE Biology 1BI0 Foundation · Paper 1 · Topic 2 · specification point 2.1 · the cell cycle and mitosis.

🎯 Learning objective: I can describe the cell cycle, distinguishing interphase from mitosis and cytokinesis, and sequence prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase using chromosome evidence.
✅ Success criteria
  • Describe interphase as growth, increase of subcellular structures and DNA replication before mitosis.
  • Sequence prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase using the positions and appearance of chromosomes.
  • Explain that cytokinesis divides the cytoplasm and membrane after nuclear division to form two daughter cells.
Arrival · previous learningStarter · observe / predictI Do · model the reasoningWe Do · hinge & responseI Do 2 · connect / extendWe Do 2 · scientific model / dataIndependent · evidence & transferExit · receive and use the response
🧪 Cell-Cycle Control Room: separate preparation, nuclear division and cell division⏱ 40 minutes📍 C39 only🔁 Live Lundy loop↺ Retry without penalty
🧬COPY DNAduring interphase↔️SEPARATE COPIESduring mitosis➗DIVIDE CELLcytokinesis
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION

LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.

🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 4 min
🚪 Arrival · previous learning
Retrieve only what has already been taught
  1. Topic 1: genetic material is found as chromosomes in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell.
  2. Lessons 1–3: evidence and explanation must be kept distinct; an observation does not automatically prove a mechanism.
  3. A multicellular organism begins from one cell and increases its cell number during growth.
  4. Lead-in: copying DNA and separating chromosome copies are different events in the cell cycle.
New to this class, absent, or not sure? Everything needed is in the retrieval box above. Read it, point to it or ask a familiar adult to read it exactly.
◆ Supported
  1. Point to the structure that contains chromosomes: nucleus, cell membrane or cytoplasm.
  2. Choose the material copied before a cell divides: DNA or starch.
  3. Put one cell before two cells in the correct order.
  4. Lead-in: match copy, separate and split to interphase, mitosis and cytokinesis.
▲ Standard
  1. State where chromosomes are found in an animal or plant cell.
  2. Explain why DNA must be copied before one cell forms two cells.
  3. Distinguish growth of one cell from an increase in cell number.
  4. Lead-in: predict what must happen to chromosome copies before cytokinesis.
★ Stretch
  1. Explain why both daughter nuclei need one complete set of genetic information.
  2. Distinguish DNA replication from chromosome separation.
  3. Predict why an error in chromosome separation could change a daughter cell.
  4. Lead-in: identify which events are preparation, nuclear division and cell division.
LAUNCH response routes
📝 write / edit🗣 structured verbal📏 measure / calculate📊 graph / interpret🧪 practical / demonstrate↺ re-attempt

Access changes the response route, not the GCSE Biology entitlement.

🔊 Read-aloud route: a familiar adult may read the task exactly while the text remains visible. No device voice or media permission is required.
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION

LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.

🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 4 min
🌱 Starter · observe / predict

A cell has grown and copied its DNA, but the chromosome copies have not yet separated. Which part of the cycle is it completing?

LOCAL VISUAL HOOK · FRAME 1
Interphase: the longest stage. Copy first.
nucleus intact · DNA copiedINTERPHASEgrow · make organellescopy DNA
Growth, more subcellular structures, and DNA replication — before any division.
LOCAL VISUAL HOOK · FRAME 2
Mitosis: P · M · A.
chromosomes visible · nucleus breaks downlined up in the MIDDLEcopies pulled APART to the poles
Chromosomes appear → line up in the middle → copies pulled apart.
LOCAL VISUAL HOOK · FRAME 3
Telophase, then cytokinesis.
TWO nuclei form · cell begins to pinchcytoplasm divides · 2 identical daughter cells
Two nuclei form, then the cytoplasm divides: two genetically identical daughter cells.

Commit one first idea. Predictions are held, not marked. Pointing, selecting, saying or signing all count.

QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION

LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.

🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 5 min
👩‍🏫 I Do · model the reasoning

Make the first scientific idea visible

INTERPHASEprepare and copythe part of the cell cycle when a cell grows, increases subcellular structures and replicates its DNA before mitosis
MITOSISdivide the nucleusnuclear division that separates copied chromosomes into two genetically identical sets
CYTOKINESISsplit the celldivision of the cytoplasm and cell membrane to form two daughter cells

WHAT THIS MODEL HELPS US SEE

Use the chain PREPARE → ALIGN → SEPARATE → REFORM → SPLIT, then replace each everyday word with the formal stage and its chromosome evidence.

WHAT THIS MODEL DOES NOT SHOW

Stage cards freeze a continuous, three-dimensional process into neat snapshots. Chromosomes, spindle fibres, cell size and timing are not to scale, and checkpoints and molecular controls are mostly omitted.

Step 1

Begin with one parent cell. During interphase it grows, increases subcellular structures and replicates its DNA so each chromosome has a copied partner.

Step 2

During mitosis, condensed chromosomes become visible, arrange and separate so one copy of each chromosome reaches each end of the cell.

Step 3

During cytokinesis, the cytoplasm and membrane divide. The outcome is two daughter cells, not one cell with twice the normal chromosome number.

Word help keeps the scientific term visible and adds a plain-language bridge.

🔬 Mitosis sequencer · press the cells in order

The cards are shuffled. Use the chromosome evidence in each picture, not the name. Start with the copying stage.

Sequence: —
Foundation tier: interphase → prophase → metaphase → anaphase → telophase → cytokinesis. Do not add spindle-fibre detail, checkpoints or meiosis here.
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION

LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.

🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 5 min
🤝 We Do · hinge & response

Which event belongs to interphase rather than mitosis?

Everyone commits before explanation.

Use a button, point, say/sign or let an adult operate the chosen button. A retry is information, not a penalty.

QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION

LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.

🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 4 min
👩‍🏫 I Do 2 · connect / extend

Connect the model to the second idea

Connection: the model is useful when its visible pattern is translated into a scientific explanation.
Connection 1

Sequence the evidence: prophase — chromosomes condense; metaphase — chromosomes align near the cell equator; anaphase — sister chromatids separate towards opposite poles.

Connection 2

Complete the sequence: telophase — two chromosome groups reach the poles and new nuclei form; cytokinesis then divides the cytoplasm and membrane.

Connection 3

Check the boundary: interphase precedes mitosis, while cytokinesis completes cell division. Stage boundaries in real cells are gradual rather than perfectly sharp.

MODEL STRENGTH

Use the chain PREPARE → ALIGN → SEPARATE → REFORM → SPLIT, then replace each everyday word with the formal stage and its chromosome evidence.

MODEL LIMIT

Stage cards freeze a continuous, three-dimensional process into neat snapshots. Chromosomes, spindle fibres, cell size and timing are not to scale, and checkpoints and molecular controls are mostly omitted.

QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION

LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.

🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 4 min
🤝 We Do 2 · scientific model / data

Cell-cycle event routing console

Route each event to preparation before nuclear division, nuclear division, or cell split/outcome, then build one defensible sequence.

Read one event card and identify what changes.Commit it to interphase, mitosis or cytokinesis/outcome.Place mitotic events in chromosome-evidence order.Freeze the sequence only when DNA copying and chromosome separation are not confused.

Cards to place

Matching groups

The event cards are mixed, and DNA copying is incorrectly placed inside mitosis.

🧩 Science glitch · find and repair it

Claim: Cell-cycle glitch: DNA is copied during mitosis, then cytokinesis doubles the chromosome number in each daughter cell.

QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION

LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.

🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 10 min
✏️ Independent · evidence & transfer

Create an evidence-labelled cell-cycle sequence and answer GCSE DESCRIBE and EXPLAIN questions that distinguish interphase, mitosis and cytokinesis.

👐 Physical route

Stage cards, chromosome-copy counters, prepared diagram or micrograph set, sequencing grid and command-word frame.

Same outcome: I can describe the cell cycle, distinguishing interphase from mitosis and cytokinesis, and sequence prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase using chromosome evidence.

🖥 Offline digital / director route

Order the same stage evidence in the local interactive and type one DESCRIBE and one EXPLAIN response. Digital completion does not replace the pupil-owned reasoning record.

Same evidence: A complete ordered cycle, at least four stage-evidence links, a correct distinction between DNA replication and chromosome separation, and one pupil-owned explanation.

🧰 Equipment / setupStage cards, chromosome-copy counters, prepared diagram or micrograph set, sequencing grid and command-word frame.
🛡 Safety / sensoryThis is a model-and-image lesson with no live tissue collection. If prepared slides and microscopes are used, carry microscopes with two hands, keep slides flat and report damaged glass; use only teacher-approved images.
🖥 Offline parityOrder the same stage evidence in the local interactive and type one DESCRIBE and one EXPLAIN response. Digital completion does not replace the pupil-owned reasoning record.
No-equipment/access route: Use enlarged tactile cards, spoken choices or eye-pointing while an adult records the pupil's exact sequence and reasons. The same formal vocabulary and evidence standard apply.

◆ Supported

Order six labelled picture cards, match prepare/divide/split, and complete a stem explaining when DNA is copied.

Scaffold

Use: During interphase __. During mitosis __. During cytokinesis __.

▲ Standard

Sequence interphase, four named mitotic stages and cytokinesis, annotate visible evidence, then explain why DNA replication must precede mitosis.

Scaffold

Use DESCRIBE for the ordered changes and EXPLAIN for cause plus biological reason.

★ Stretch

Evaluate an incorrect cell-cycle model, repair chromosome-number reasoning and explain why stage boundaries can be uncertain in a snapshot.

Scaffold

Distinguish observation, stage inference and model limitation; include the caveat that mutation or segregation error can disrupt the usual outcome.

Evidence gate

1 · Pupil decisionPrediction, question, method or choice is visible.
2 · Observable evidenceA result, source note, model state or adult observation is preserved.
3 · Pupil meaningA complete ordered cycle, at least four stage-evidence links, a correct distinction between DNA replication and chromosome separation, and one pupil-owned explanation.
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION

LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.

🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 4 min
🎫 Exit · receive and use the response

Finish with an edit or re-attempt on the existing work

Supported

Complete: DNA is copied during __, chromosome copies separate during __, and the cytoplasm divides during __.

Standard

Describe the cell cycle from interphase to two daughter cells using at least four formal stage terms.

Stretch

Explain why DNA amount increases before division without each daughter cell retaining twice the parent chromosome number.

Adult Audience

The familiar adult genuinely receives the pupil response, then says back the Science they heard or saw. The adult does not add a score or rewrite the pupil.

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

Session state is temporary. Reload clears responses; there is no account, upload or saved pupil identity.

⌂ Start
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION

LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.

🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

Staff route

TA Brief · Lesson overview

Priority

Settle, wait and protect the learning goal.

Least-prompt move

Use the least prompt needed, then fade it.

Prompt ladder

WAITSELF-PROMPTVISUAL CUEGENERAL VERBALSPECIFIC VERBALMODELDIRECT SUPPORT
Read-aloud availability: a familiar adult can read the exact current task while the text remains visible. Device speech is intentionally omitted so the deck asks for no media permission and stays dependable offline.

Guidance and access

Live Lundy loop

🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

Audience is real only when a familiar adult receives the response. Influence is real only when one next teaching move visibly changes.