Cell Cycle and Cell Division: common misconceptions

If your child says… “A cell that stops dividing is dead.”

Ask together

Does stopping division require a cell to stop its other work?

What’s true

G0 cells remain alive and active without dividing.

If your child says… “Copying DNA doubles the chromosome count.”

Ask together

Does adding a joined copy create another separate chromosome?

What’s true

Joined sister chromatids count as one chromosome until they separate.

If your child says… “Mitosis separates homologues.”

Ask together

Would separating the red chromosome from the blue give both nuclei both colours?

What’s true

Mitosis separates sister chromatids, rather than matching maternal and paternal chromosomes.

If your child says… “Two nuclei always mean two separate cells.”

Ask together

What still connects the contents around these nuclei?

What’s true

Nuclear division can occur without cytokinesis.

If your child says… “Sisters exchange DNA.”

Ask together

Do the exchanging strands belong to the same chromosome or different homologues?

What’s true

Meiotic crossing over exchanges DNA between non-sister chromatids of homologues.

If your child says… “DNA must be copied before both divisions.”

Ask together

What would another copy supply that these joined sisters do not already provide?

What’s true

Interkinesis has no DNA copying because the sister chromatids are already present.

If your child says… “Chromosome numbers keep halving.”

Ask together

What happens when single sets unite?

What’s true

Fertilisation restores paired sets.