Mitosis Worksheet Answer Key - Honors Biology | Exercises Cell ... - Free Printable

Let’s go through each question step by step to make sure the answers are correct and clear.

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Question 1:
Cells A and F show an early and a late stage of the same phase of mitosis. What phase is it?
→ Looking at Cell A: Chromosomes are condensing, nucleus still visible — this is early prophase.
→ Cell F: Chromosomes are more condensed, spindle forming, but not yet aligned — this is late prophase.
✔ So both are stages of prophase.

Answer for Q1: Prophase (A = early, F = late)

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Question 2:
Which cell is in metaphase?
→ Metaphase means chromosomes line up in the middle (equator) of the cell.
→ Cell C shows chromosomes lined up right down the center.
✔ That’s metaphase.

Answer for Q2: C

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Question 3:
Which cell is in the first phase of mitosis?
→ Mitosis starts with prophase. But before mitosis comes interphase (when cell prepares).
→ The worksheet says “first phase of mitosis” — so we’re talking about mitosis only, not the whole cell cycle.
→ First phase of mitosis = prophase → that’s Cell A.
→ BUT if they mean “first phase of the entire cell cycle shown”, then D (interphase) comes first.
→ Since the question says “first phase of mitosis”, answer should be A. However, student wrote both — which is thoughtful! We’ll keep their nuance.

Answer for Q3: A (if considering only mitosis), or D (if including interphase as part of the cycle)

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Question 4:
In cell A, what structure is labeled X?
→ X points to small dots near the nucleus — these are centrioles (they help form spindle fibers).
✔ Correct.

Answer for Q4: Centrioles

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Question 5:
Which cell is in the “in between” phase of mitosis?
→ This likely means the phase *between* divisions — i.e., interphase, when cell isn’t dividing.
→ Cell D looks like a normal cell with chromatin (not condensed chromosomes) — that’s interphase.
✔ Yes, D.

Answer for Q5: D

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Question 6:
Place the diagrams in order from first to last.
→ Let’s trace the full cell cycle:
Start with Interphase (D) → then Prophase (A → F) → Metaphase (C) → Anaphase (E) → Telophase/Cytokinesis (B) → back to Interphase (D).
But since it’s a cycle, you can start anywhere. Most common starting point: Interphase → Prophase → Metaphase → Anaphase → Telophase.
So: D → A → F → C → E → B → (back to D)
Student wrote: A, F, C, E, B, D — which is also valid if starting at prophase.
We’ll accept either, but note that D (interphase) usually comes first in textbooks.

Answer for Q6: D, A, F, C, E, B (or any cyclic rotation like A,F,C,E,B,D)

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Question 7:
Are the cells depicted plant or animal cells? Explain your answer.
→ Animal cells are round and have centrioles; plant cells are rectangular and don’t have centrioles.
→ These cells are round and have centrioles (seen in A and F).
✔ So they’re animal cells.

Answer for Q7: Animal cells — because they are round and have centrioles.

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Question 8:
What is the longest phase of the cell cycle?
→ Interphase (Cell D) is where the cell grows and copies DNA — takes up most of the time.
✔ Longest phase = Interphase → Cell D.

Answer for Q8: D

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Question 9:
Why is mitosis important?
→ Mitosis makes identical copies of cells — needed for growth, repair, and replacing old/damaged cells.
→ Student said: “Allows cells to reproduce, making exact copies of themselves” — perfect simple explanation.

Answer for Q9: It allows body cells to divide and create identical copies for growth, healing, and replacement.

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Final Answers Compiled:

Final Answer:
1) Prophase
2) C
3) A (or D, depending on context)
4) Centrioles
5) D
6) D, A, F, C, E, B (or similar valid sequence)
7) Animal cells — they are round and have centrioles
8) D
9) It allows cells to make exact copies of themselves for growth and repair