School seminar
Common misconceptions
and difficult concepts in
HKDSE Biology
Cell Divisions
Dr. Christine Yu
G.T. (Ellen Yeung) College
Distinguish between different concepts and their connections
Chromatin
Chromosome
Sister chromatid
Homologous chromosome
Number of chromosomes (n, 2n)
Mitosis
Meiosis
DNA replication
unreplicatedAchromosome B chromosome
replicated
How many chromosome(s) is/are in A and B?
One chromosome
What is the amount of DNA in A and B?
Amount of DNA is doubled in B
DSE 2020 Q20
A (34%)
DNA replication Mitosis
during interphase
x ? ?
DSE 2020 Q20
DSE 2016 Q19 End of cytokinesis
(two daughter cells formed)
Which of the following stages best represent(s) interphase?
A. P only
B.
C.
Q only
P and Q only
C (34%)
D. P, Q and R only
https://www.sciencefacts.net/cell-cycle.html
A A A
B
B B
A B
Are they homologous chromosomes?
No, it represents one set of chromosome (n).
Different alleles at a gene locus
same alleles at a gene locus
A a
A A a a
B B B B
B B
A B
Paternal chromosome
Are they homologous chromosomes? exist in pair
maternal chromosome
Yes, it represents a pair of homologous chromosomes. There are two sets
of chromosomes (2n)
Mitosis A A A a
A a
a a
B B
DNA replication
during interphase
B B
A a
BB
BB
2n = 4
2n = 4 B B
n = number of chromosomes in one set 2n = 4
Separation of sister chromatids
Meiosis n＝2 A A II n＝2
2n ＝4 A A
I
A a A A a a
BB
B B
DNA replication
a a
B B during interphase a
BB BB a
BB
2n ＝4 B B
Pairing and separation of homologous
chromosome
Separation of sister chromatids
DSE 2013 Q18
D (32%)
DSE 2015 1B_Q2c
In the space provided below, state the cause for the different outcomes of mitosis and meiosis.
Homologous chromosomes pair up and separate into each daughter cell in
meiosis but not in mitosis.
Misconception
Chromosome number was halved in the second meiotic division
Chromosome number was halved in the first meiotic division
Reproduction
1. Hybrid infertility
No pairing of homologous
Ligar is fertile: 38 chromosomes
chromosomes during Meiotic
(19 from each
Metaphase I parent)
2. Genetic variation (Meiotic cell division) DSE 2017 1B_Q3
Explain briefly why process Y is better than process X in terms of evolution?
Prophase I – Crossing over of non-sister chromatids
Metaphase I – Independent assortment of homologous chromosome
Genetic variations between gametes
Cross pollination results in greater genetic variation than self-pollination
Random fertilization of gametes
Genetic variations in offspring
Natural selection
Evolution
Genetic variation in wing pattern (black vs light-colored) produce peppered moths that were
favoured by natural selection.
Genetics
DSE 2021_1A_Q17
C (38%)
Genetics
Correlate the changes in chromosomes during gamete formation in meiosis to
the changes in hereditary factors in Mendels’ Law of Inheritance
1. Mendel’s Law of Segregation
Particular trait is determined by a pair of hereditary factors.
During gamete formation, segregation of each pair of hereditary factors occurs
so that each gamete receives only one factor from each pair.
Parent
parent
Particular trait is determined by a pair of
hereditary factors.
(alleles in a pair of homologous chromosomes)
During gamete formation, segregation of each pair
of hereditary factors occurs so that each gamete
receives only one factor from each pair.
Gametes
gametes
2. Mendel’s Law of Independent Assortment
Hereditary factors assorted independently during gamete formation, which
leads to variation in gene combinations of the gametes and hence genetic
variation in F2 offsprings.
A A a a A A a a gametes with variation in gene combinations
A A a
a
or
BB bb bb BB
B b B
b
3. Chromosome mutation
One extra chromosome due to
error in meiotic cell division
homologous chromosomes or
sister chromatids fail to
separate
Growth
Mitosis leads to increase in cell number.
All the daughter cells are genetically
identical to the parental cells which is
essential for growth.
DSE 2021_1B_Q5
Mitotic cell division, it is the region for growth
Conclusion
Deep understanding of individual concepts facilitates their
integrations.
Making connection between related concepts help to
understand the new concepts more quickly and transfer
knowledge to new situation more easily.
Thank you
