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Cell Cycle and Chromosomes Question Paper (1)

The document outlines an ICSE Class 10 Biology examination on the Cell Cycle and Chromosomes, consisting of various types of questions including very short answer, short answer, case-based, and long answer questions. It covers key concepts such as interphase, mitosis, meiosis, chromosomal behavior, and genetic continuity and diversity. The exam emphasizes deep conceptual understanding and logical reasoning rather than mere definitions.

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Anik Maitra
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23 views5 pages

Cell Cycle and Chromosomes Question Paper (1)

The document outlines an ICSE Class 10 Biology examination on the Cell Cycle and Chromosomes, consisting of various types of questions including very short answer, short answer, case-based, and long answer questions. It covers key concepts such as interphase, mitosis, meiosis, chromosomal behavior, and genetic continuity and diversity. The exam emphasizes deep conceptual understanding and logical reasoning rather than mere definitions.

Uploaded by

Anik Maitra
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ICSE Class 10 Biology – Chapter: Cell

Cycle and Chromosomes


Time: 2 hours

Marks: 100

All questions are compulsory.

Section A – Very Short Answer Type Questions (Answer in 1-2 lines)


(10 × 2 = 20 marks)
Each question tests deep conceptual clarity. No definitions or recall asked.

1. Interphase is considered a resting phase, yet intense metabolic activity occurs. Justify this
contradiction.

2. A mutation affects the centromere of a chromosome. Predict and explain the likely effect
on mitosis.

3. Why is it incorrect to say that all cells undergoing interphase are “dividing”?

4. If a somatic cell skips the S phase but continues to mitosis, what anomaly may arise?

5. Differentiate between chromatin and chromatid based on structural state and functional
implications.

6. How does mitotic division ensure genetic continuity, despite biochemical variability
between cells?

7. Predict the result if cytokinesis fails after mitosis. How would this impact the cell's future
division capability?

8. Why is meiosis referred to as a ‘reduction division’, and how does this impact variation?

9. A drug inhibits spindle fiber formation during cell division. At which mitotic stage will the
process halt? Explain.

10. The number of chromosomes remains the same in mitosis but halves in meiosis. Explain
this functional necessity in organisms.
Section B – Short Answer Type Questions (3 marks each)
(6 × 3 = 18 marks)
Requires logical explanations, drawing connections between concepts.

11. A nerve cell remains in interphase for a lifetime. Explain this in context of G1, S, and G2
phases.

12. Why is mitosis unsuitable for producing gametes? Include chromosome behavior in your
answer.

13. A scientist isolates a cell and finds it contains twice the normal amount of DNA. Identify
the cell cycle stage and justify your reasoning.

14. If an error occurs in the anaphase of mitosis and one daughter cell receives both
chromatids of a chromosome, predict the outcome for that cell lineage.

15. Explain how homologous chromosomes contribute to variation in meiosis, even if no


crossing over occurs.

16. “DNA replication ensures genetic continuity, but recombination ensures genetic
diversity.” Analyse this statement with examples from meiosis and mitosis.

Section C – Case-Based/Data Interpretation (4 marks each)


(6 × 4 = 24 marks)
Interpret scenarios and justify with conceptual backing.

17. A student observes under a microscope a cell with condensed chromosomes aligned at
the equator, spindle fibers attached, and no visible nuclear envelope.

a) Identify the exact mitotic stage.

b) Justify why it isn’t anaphase.

c) Predict what will happen next and why.

d) Why is this stage crucial for error-free division?

18. During a genetic experiment, scientists observed that an organism’s gametes had a
random mix of maternal and paternal chromosomes.

a) What cellular process causes this randomness?

b) Why is this not observed in mitotic cell division?

c) How does this randomness contribute to evolution?

d) What would be the consequence if homologous pairs fail to separate?


19. Examine the following cell DNA data across time:

| Time (min) | DNA Content (arbitrary units) |


|------------|-------------------------------|
|0 |2 |
| 30 |4 |
| 60 |4 |
| 90 |2 |

a) Identify the phases of the cell cycle corresponding to 0–30, 30–60, 60–90 min.

b) Explain the doubling and halving of DNA.

c) Is this mitosis or meiosis? Justify.

d) If DNA doubled at 30 mins but didn’t halve at 90, what anomaly might that suggest?

20. A mutation occurs in the gene coding for a spindle fiber protein, causing it to
malfunction.

a) Predict the mitotic phase where this will have maximum impact.

b) What chromosomal abnormality may occur in the daughter cells?

c) Would this affect diploid or haploid cells more severely? Why?

d) Could this impact be inherited in offspring? Explain.

21. Two students argue:


- Student A: “Chromatids are just compact chromatin strands.”
- Student B: “Chromatids arise only after DNA replication.”

a) Who is conceptually more accurate?

b) Explain how chromatin transforms during the cell cycle.

c) Why are chromatids essential in mitosis but not in interphase?

d) Can a chromosome exist without chromatids? Justify.

22. A researcher is examining a cell with visible centromeres, each holding two sister
chromatids, and chromosomes beginning to move apart.

a) What mitotic stage is this?

b) How does the centromere's role change before and after this stage?

c) How would this differ in meiosis I?

d) Why does meiosis II resemble mitosis more than meiosis I?


Section D – Long Answer Type Questions (6 marks each)
(6 × 6 = 36 marks)
Each question is multi-layered, asking for deep comparison, reasoning, or implication-based
answers.

23. Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis by explaining:

a) Behavior of chromosomes.

b) Genetic outcome.

c) Functional significance.

d) Why meiosis is essential for survival of species but mitosis is not.

e) Role of DNA duplication.

f) Relevance in growth vs. reproduction.

24. Consider a scenario where a multicellular organism begins to produce gametes via
mitosis instead of meiosis.

a) What would happen to the chromosome number across generations?

b) How would this affect genetic diversity?

c) Could the species survive long-term?

d) Explain in terms of evolutionary fitness.

25. Construct a logical explanation of how:

a) Homologous chromosomes contribute to variation.

b) Crossing over enhances this process.

c) Why identical twins are genetically the same despite meiosis.

d) How errors in these processes lead to syndromes like Down’s.

26. Describe how checkpoints in the cell cycle prevent abnormalities. Include:

a) Importance of G1, S, and G2 checkpoints.

b) A scenario where a faulty cell bypasses a checkpoint.

c) How this relates to cancer.

d) Contrast with how apoptosis would normally help.


27. Design a flowchart to trace the structural transformation of DNA during the cell cycle,
including:

a) Chromatin, chromosome, and chromatid stages.

b) Where and when each appears.

c) Structural differences.

d) Functional necessity in cell division.

28. Imagine two cells: one undergoes mitosis and the other meiosis. Both start with 8
chromosomes.

a) Draw or describe the chromosomal status in daughter cells.

b) How do the DNA copies differ?

c) What difference arises in terms of heredity?

d) Justify why one cell contributes to body growth and the other to genetic lineage.

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