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9th grade · Science · Unit 1 of 28

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.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: HS-LS1-4 · cell division and growth

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 New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 1 of 28 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: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

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

    Before a cell divides, the DNA is…

    • destroyed
    • removed from the cell
    • split into random pieces
    • copied, so each new cell gets a full set

  2. Question 2

    Most of a cell's life is spent in…

    • anaphase
    • telophase
    • interphase
    • mitosis

  3. Question 3

    What are the stages of mitosis in order?

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

  4. Question 4

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

    • 🧬Interphase: DNA is copied
    • ➖Metaphase: chromosomes line up
    • ⚪Telophase: two new nuclei form
    • ↔️Anaphase: chromosomes pull apart

  5. Question 5

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

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

  6. Question 6

    What can happen when cells ignore the signals to stop dividing?

    • They may form a tumour, which can become cancer
    • They turn into plants
    • They die immediately
    • They stop needing food

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