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9th grade · Science · Unit 1 of 7

Cells from Cells

DNA, mitosis and growth

What your child practices

How cells copy their DNA and divide by mitosis, the stages in order, why cells divide for growth and healing, and what can go wrong when cell growth isn't controlled.

Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards benchmark: 9L.3.1.1.2; 9L.1.1.1.1 · DNA and chromosomes, and how mitosis and differentiation build an organism

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Before dividing, a cell copies its DNA so each new cell gets a full set.
  2. Mitosis stages in order: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.
  3. Cells divide for growth and healing. Uncontrolled division can cause cancer.

Example: In which stage do the chromosomes line up in the middle? Prophase: chromosomes condense. Next they line up in the middle: metaphase. Answer: metaphase

Cells from Cells in Minnesota

In the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards, this is unit 1 of 7 in 9th grade Science, before Reproduction.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Where is the cell's DNA stored in an animal cell?

    • in the cytoplasm only
    • in the cell membrane
    • in the mitochondria only
    • in the nucleus

  2. Question 2

    What are the stages of mitosis in order?

    • metaphase, prophase, telophase, anaphase
    • anaphase, prophase, telophase, metaphase
    • telophase, anaphase, metaphase, prophase
    • prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase

  3. Question 3

    During which stage do chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell?

    • anaphase
    • telophase
    • prophase
    • metaphase

  4. Question 4

    Most of a cell's life is spent in…

    • mitosis
    • interphase
    • telophase
    • anaphase

  5. Question 5

    Put the stages of cell division in order, earliest first.

    • 🧬Interphase: DNA is copied
    • 🔬Prophase: chromosomes condense
    • ⚪Telophase: two new nuclei form
    • ↔️Anaphase: chromosomes pull apart

  6. Question 6

    What is mitosis?

    • The death of a cell
    • Cell division that makes two identical daughter cells
    • Cell division that makes four different cells
    • The joining of two cells

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