Mitosis Worksheet | PDF | Meiosis | Mitosis - Free Printable

Here is the complete solution to your Mitosis and Meiosis Worksheet, with clear explanations for each section.

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## MITOSIS WORKSHEET

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A. Matching: Match the term to the description.

Terms:
- A. Prophase
- B. Interphase
- C. Telophase
- D. Metaphase
- E. Anaphase

Answers & Explanations:

1. E. Anaphase — The sister chromatids are moving apart. *(Anaphase = separation of chromatids)*
2. A. Prophase — The nuclear membrane fades from view. *(Prophase = nuclear envelope breaks down)*
3. C. Telophase — A new nuclear membrane forms around the chromosomes. *(Telophase = reformation of nuclei)*
4. C. Telophase — The cytoplasm of the cell is being divided. *(Cytokinesis usually overlaps telophase; in animal cells, cleavage furrow; plant cells, cell plate)*
5. B. Interphase — The chromatin is found in the nucleus. *(Interphase = DNA is uncondensed, in nucleus)*
6. D. Metaphase — The chromosomes are located at the equator of the cell. *(Metaphase = alignment at metaphase plate)*
7. C. Telophase — The spindles disappear. *(Spindle fibers depolymerize in telophase)*
8. C. Telophase — Animal cells begin to pinch in. *(Pinching = cleavage furrow formation in cytokinesis, which begins in telophase)*
9. A. Prophase — The spindle is formed. *(Spindle apparatus forms during prophase)*
10. D. Metaphase — Chromatids line up along the equator. *(Same as #6 — metaphase plate alignment)*
11. B. Interphase — Chromosomes are not visible. *(Chromatin is diffuse; chromosomes only condense in prophase)*
12. C. Telophase — Cytokinesis begins. *(Cytokinesis often starts in telophase)*
13. C. Telophase — The cell plate in plants begins to form. *(Cell plate = plant cytokinesis, occurs in telophase)*
14. C. Telophase — The reverse of prophase. *(Nuclear envelope reforms, chromosomes decondense — opposite of prophase events)*

✔ Final Matching Answers:

| # | Answer |
|---|--------|
| 1 | E |
| 2 | A |
| 3 | C |
| 4 | C |
| 5 | B |
| 6 | D |
| 7 | C |
| 8 | C |
| 9 | A |
|10 | D |
|11 | B |
|12 | C |
|13 | C |
|14 | C |

> ⚠️ Note: Some descriptions (like #4, #7, #8, #12, #13, #14) all refer to telophase/cytokinesis, which is correct — telophase includes the beginning of cytokinesis and reversal of prophase events.

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B. Diagram Analysis: Phases of the Cell Cycle

*(Cells labeled A–F)*

#### 1) Cells A and D show an early and a late stage of the same phase of mitosis. What phase is it?

→ Prophase

- Cell A: Early prophase — chromosomes condensing, spindle forming (labeled X), nuclear envelope still partially visible.
- Cell D: Late prophase — chromosomes fully condensed, nuclear envelope breaking down, spindle more developed.

✔ Answer: Prophase

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#### 2) Which cell is in metaphase?

→ Cell F

- Chromosomes aligned at the equator (metaphase plate).
- Spindle fibers attached to centromeres.

✔ Answer: F

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#### 3) Which cell is in the first phase of mitosis?

→ Cell A

- First phase of mitosis = Prophase.
- Cell A shows early prophase features (chromosome condensation, spindle forming).

✔ Answer: A

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#### 4) In cell A, what structure is labeled X?

→ Spindle fiber / Spindle apparatus

- X points to microtubules radiating from centrosomes toward chromosomes — these are spindle fibers that will attach to kinetochores.

✔ Answer: Spindle fiber (or spindle apparatus)

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#### 5) Place the diagrams in order from first to last. Explain your answer.

Correct Order: D → A → F → C → E → B

Explanation:

Let’s identify each cell:

- D: Late interphase / early prophase — chromatin still loose but starting to condense, nucleolus visible, no distinct chromosomes yet. *Actually, this looks like late interphase or very early prophase.*
- A: Early prophase — chromosomes condensing, spindle forming.
- F: Metaphase — chromosomes lined up at equator.
- C: Anaphase — sister chromatids separating and moving to poles.
- E: Telophase — chromosomes at poles, nuclear envelopes reforming, cleavage furrow visible.
- B: Cytokinesis completed — two daughter cells.

But wait — D actually looks like interphase (before mitosis starts). So the full cycle should start with interphase.

➡️ Revised Order: D → A → F → C → E → B

- D: Interphase (DNA replicated, chromatin diffuse)
- A: Prophase (chromosomes condense, spindle forms)
- F: Metaphase (chromosomes align)
- C: Anaphase (sister chromatids separate)
- E: Telophase (nuclei reform, cell pinches)
- B: Two daughter cells (cytokinesis complete)

✔ Answer: D → A → F → C → E → B

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#### 6) Are the cells depicted plant or animal cells? Explain your answer.

→ Animal cells

Evidence:
- No cell wall — cells are round/oval, not rectangular.
- Cleavage furrow seen in E and B (pinching in of plasma membrane).
- No cell plate — plant cells form a cell plate during cytokinesis; these cells do not.
- Centrosomes/spindle poles visible (more typical of animal cells).

✔ Answer: Animal cells — because they lack cell walls and show cleavage furrows during cytokinesis.

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#### 7) What is the longest phase of the entire cell cycle?

→ Interphase

- Interphase includes G1, S (DNA synthesis), and G2 phases — accounts for ~90% of the cell cycle.
- Mitosis (M phase) is relatively short.

✔ Answer: Interphase

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#### 8) Why is mitosis important?

→ Mitosis ensures that each daughter cell receives an identical copy of the parent cell’s chromosomes. This is essential for:
- Growth and development
- Tissue repair and regeneration
- Asexual reproduction in some organisms
- Maintaining genetic stability across generations of somatic cells

✔ Answer: Mitosis is important because it produces two genetically identical daughter cells, allowing for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction while maintaining chromosome number.

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## MEIOSIS WORKSHEET

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A. Underline the correct word.

1. A cell with two pairs of each set of chromosomes is called a diploid cell. These cells are typically found throughout the body tissues and are called somatic cells.
→ Diploid = 2n; somatic = body cells

2. A cell with only one set of chromosomes is called a haploid cell. These types of cells are found in the reproductive organs and are called germ cells.
→ Haploid = n; germ cells = gamete-producing cells

3. Sperm and egg cells are called gametes. A fertilized egg is a zygote.
→ Gametes = sperm/egg; zygote = fertilized egg

4. A type of cell division that results in diploid cells: mitosis
→ Mitosis maintains ploidy; meiosis reduces it.

5. A type of cell division that results in haploid cells: meiosis
→ Meiosis reduces chromosome number by half.

6. When a sperm and egg combine, it is called fertilization.
→ Fusion of gametes = fertilization

7. What is the diploid number for humans? 46
What is the haploid number? 23
→ 2n = 46; n = 23

8. Matching chromosomes are called homologous pairs.
→ Homologous = same genes, one from each parent

9. During prophase I of meiosis, these pairs form a tetrad in a process called synapsis.
→ Synapsis = pairing of homologous chromosomes

10. When homologous chromosomes exchange genes, it is called: crossing over
→ Occurs during prophase I; increases genetic variation

11. How many daughter cells are created at the end of meiosis I? 2
meiosis II? 4
→ Meiosis I: 2 haploid cells; Meiosis II: 4 haploid gametes

12. During meiosis, chromosomes will split into daughter cells randomly, making each gamete unique. This is called independent assortment.
→ Mendel’s Law — random alignment at metaphase I

13. The process by which sperm are made is called spermatogenesis.
→ In testes; produces 4 functional sperm per meiotic event

14. The process by which eggs are made is called oogenesis.
→ In ovaries; produces 1 functional egg + 3 polar bodies

15. During the creation of an oocyte, 3 additional haploid cells are created that will not be fertilized, these cells are called polar bodies.
→ Polar bodies degenerate; conserve cytoplasm for egg

✔ Final Answers for A:

1. diploid / somatic
2. haploid / germ
3. gametes / zygote
4. mitosis
5. meiosis
6. fertilization
7. 46 / 23
8. homologous
9. synapsis
10. crossing over
11. 2 / 4
12. independent assortment
13. spermatogenesis
14. oogenesis
15. polar bodies

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B. Label the Phases (Meiosis Diagrams)

*(There are 8 diagrams arranged in 2 rows — likely showing stages of meiosis I and II)*

We’ll label them left to right, top row then bottom row.

Top Row (Left to Right):

1. Prophase I — Chromosomes condense, homologous pairs form tetrads, crossing over may occur.
2. Metaphase I — Tetrads align at metaphase plate.
3. Anaphase I — Homologous chromosomes separate (sister chromatids stay together).
4. Telophase I / Cytokinesis I — Two haploid cells form; each has one chromosome from each homologous pair.

Bottom Row (Left to Right):

5. Prophase II — Chromosomes re-condense in each haploid cell.
6. Metaphase II — Chromosomes line up individually at equator.
7. Anaphase II — Sister chromatids separate.
8. Telophase II / Cytokinesis II — Four haploid daughter cells formed.

✔ Labeling:

Top Row:
1. Prophase I
2. Metaphase I
3. Anaphase I
4. Telophase I / Cytokinesis I

Bottom Row:
5. Prophase II
6. Metaphase II
7. Anaphase II
8. Telophase II / Cytokinesis II

> 💡 Tip: Meiosis I separates homologous chromosomes; Meiosis II separates sister chromatids (like mitosis).

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## ✔ FINAL SUMMARY

You now have:

- All matching answers for Mitosis phases
- Correct ordering and identification of mitotic cells
- Clear distinction between plant vs. animal cells
- Complete underlining and labeling for Meiosis concepts
- Accurate labeling of meiotic phases in diagrams

This worksheet covers the core concepts of cell division — essential for understanding genetics, development, and reproduction.

Let me know if you’d like a printable version or flashcards for review! 🧬🧫