KEY
Cells and Heredity Ch. 3 Study Guide
1. List the 3 stages of the cell cycle and explain what happens during each stage. Under
mitosis list the 4 stages of mitosis and explain each
1. Interphase – Cell prepares for mitosis, DNA replicates
2. Mitosis – nucleus divides
a. Prophase – nuclear membrane disappears, DNA condenses to
chromosomes
b. Metaphase – Chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell
c. Anaphase – separated chromosomes (chromatids) pull to the opposite
ends of the cell
d. Telophase – new nuclear membranes form
3. Cytokinesis – cell pinches and divides
2. The offspring produced by asexual reproduction are genetically identical to their
parents.
3. Compare the number of chromosomes in a parent cell to the number of chromosomes
in a daughter cell after mitosis. (please use a complete sentence)
The number of chromosomes in a parent cell is the same as the number of
chromosomes in a daughter cell.
4. Cells prepare for cell division during interphase by duplicating their DNA.
5. Through asexual reproduction many offspring can be produced very quickly.
6. Why do the cells in an adult human divide? (please answer using complete sentences)
Cells in an adult human divide so that the body can grow and repair itself.
7. A cutting taken from a plant grows into a new plant as the result of regeneration
8. A cell grows and carries out life functions during which stage? interphase
9. How do cells share their genetic material? (please answer using complete sentences)
Cells share their genetic material by going through cell division.
10. List the three ways multicellular organisms use cell division and explain each.
a. Growth – Cells divide, creating more cells which leads to growth in the
organism.
b. Development – cells specialize as they divide
c. Repair – damaged cells are replaced by new cells
11. List the three forms of asexual reproduction. Describe each form and give an
example of an organism that reproduces using each method
a. Form: Binary Fission description:occurs in prokaryotes, parent cell divides
into 2 cells
Example: Bacteria
Form: Budding description: organism develops tiny buds on its body that contain
the parents DNA. Once the bud is fully developed it splits off from the parent.
Example: Hydra
b. Form: Regeneration description: Part of the organism is cut off and another
organism is reproduced
Example: Starfish
12. The cell cycle ends with which stage? Cytokinesis
13. In what important way is asexual reproduction different from sexual reproduction?
In asexual reproduction produces offspring that are genetically identical to the
parent. With sexual reproduction, offspring have a mix of genetic material from
two parents.
14. Fill in the chart
Characteristics of asexual
reproduction
Characteristics of both
asexual and sexual
reproduction
Characteristics of sexual
reproduction
# of parents 1
Both produce offspring
# of parents 2
Reproduction rate very
rapid
Both use cell
division. But sexual
reproduction also uses
other processes
Reproduction rate a lot
slower than asexual
Genetic material of
Genetic material of
offspring is identical
offspring is a mix from
both parents
to the parent
15. The genetic material of eukaryotic cells is organized in chromosomes. Add the
following labels to the drawing below: centromere, chromatids, chromosome, DNA,
nucleus, proteins.
16. Draw each stage of the cell cycle including the stages of mitosis. List the stage and
the order of the different stages. For each drawing be sure to include the genetic
material and be sure to label the parts of each cell. (you should have 6 drawings)