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Worksheet10th GradeLevel 3 · Challenge

Free 10th Grade Mitosis and Meiosis: How Cells Divide Worksheet

Students describe the cell cycle and the stages of mitosis, explain why mitosis produces genetically identical diploid cells for growth and repair, and compare it with meiosis, which produces genetically different haploid gametes. They calculate chromosome numbers in body cells and gametes, cell numbers after repeated divisions and the mitotic index from microscope counts, and explain how uncontrolled mitosis leads to cancer.

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Grade
10th Grade
Subject
Science
Topic
Cells & Classification
Difficulty
Level 3 · Challenge
Estimated time
45 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
15
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • describing the cell cycle and stages of mitosis
  • comparing mitosis and meiosis
  • calculating diploid and haploid chromosome numbers
  • calculating cell numbers and the mitotic index
  • explaining the link between uncontrolled cell division and cancer

Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Mitosis and Meiosis: How Cells Divide

  1. 1Mutations, Variation and Natural Selection

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

10th Grade students (typically ages 15–16) working on cells & classification. It is pitched at level 3 · challenge.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 45 minutes for 15 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Mutations, Variation and Natural Selection.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets10th Grade · Science · Cells & Classification

Mitosis and Meiosis: How Cells Divide

Name

Date

Score /

Mitosis: one division, two identical diploid cells. Meiosis: two divisions, four different haploid gametes.

Part A: The cell cycle and mitosis

The cell cycle has two main parts. During interphase the cell grows, makes new organelles and copies its DNA. During mitosis the nucleus divides, then the cytoplasm splits (cytokinesis) to make two genetically identical daughter cells.

Mitosis has four stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.

1.Match each stage of mitosis to what happens.
  • Prophase
  • Metaphase
  • Anaphase
  • Telophase
  • Sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite ends of the cell
  • Chromosomes condense and become visible; the nuclear membrane breaks down
  • New nuclear membranes form around each set of chromosomes
  • Chromosomes line up across the middle of the cell
2.What must happen to the DNA during interphase, before mitosis begins? Why? (answer space)
3.Give two reasons why organisms need mitosis. (answer space)
4.The two cells produced by mitosis are genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell. ☐ True   ☐ False
5.A cell divides by mitosis once every 24 hours, and every new cell does the same. Starting with one cell, how many cells will there be after 5 days?

Part B: Meiosis

Meiosis makes gametes (sex cells). It involves two divisions and produces four cells, each with half the number of chromosomes of a body cell. Body cells are diploid (two sets of chromosomes); gametes are haploid (one set).

During meiosis, chromosome pairs are shuffled and swap sections, so every gamete is genetically different. This is a source of variation.

6.Where in the human body does meiosis take place?
  1. AIn all body cells
  2. BIn the skin
  3. CIn the ovaries and testes
  4. DIn the bone marrow
7.Human body cells contain 46 chromosomes. How many chromosomes are in a human sperm cell? How many in a fertilized egg (zygote)?
8.A dog's body cells contain 78 chromosomes. How many are in a dog's egg cell?
9.A fruit fly's gametes contain 4 chromosomes. How many chromosomes are in its body cells?
10.Explain why it is important that gametes contain only half the normal number of chromosomes. (answer space)
11.Give two differences between mitosis and meiosis. (answer space)

Part C: Investigating mitosis

The mitotic index is the percentage of cells in a sample that are dividing. A higher mitotic index means faster cell division.

12.In a microscope image of an onion root tip, 20 of the 400 cells are dividing. Calculate the mitotic index as a percentage.
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Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring Science Team
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.