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Cell Cycle and Cell Division — Class 11 MCQs with Answers

Class 11 CBSE Biology · Chapter 10

90 practice questions · 30 Easy · 30 Medium · 30 Hard · Updated

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Practise the most important Class 11 CBSE Biology questions from Chapter 10, "Cell Cycle and Cell Division". You get 9 timed quizzes made from 90 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 30 Easy, 30 Medium and 30 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that top scorers in CBSE & Maharashtra HSC Board exams, MHT-CET and NEET UG get right.

To score well in "Cell Cycle and Cell Division", focus on diagrams, key terms and knowing NCERT line by line. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This helps you stay accurate when time is short, just as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.

Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Cell Cycle and Cell Division, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 11 Biology mastery score. Try the 6 sample questions below: tap an option to see the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.

Cell Cycle and Cell Division — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 11 Biology)

6 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. Tap an option to check yourself.

0 of 6 answered

  1. Q1 of 6Easy

    DNA replication occurs in:

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    Answer: S phase

    Explanation: S phase (Synthesis) is when DNA replicates, doubling content from 2C to 4C while chromosome number stays the same; G1 and G2 flank it with growth only, no replication.

  2. Q2 of 6Easy

    Mitosis produces ___ daughter cells.

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    Answer: 2 identical diploid

    Explanation: Mitosis is equational division: one division after one round of DNA replication yields two diploid cells identical to the parent — unlike meiosis, which halves chromosome number across two divisions to give four haploid cells.

  3. Q3 of 6Medium

    Phase where cell prepares for mitosis (post-S):

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    Answer: G2

    Explanation: G2 follows S phase: the cell has already doubled its DNA and now synthesises proteins and organelles needed for mitosis, distinguishing it from G1, which precedes replication.

  4. Q4 of 6Medium

    Meiosis produces:

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    Answer: 4 haploid cells

    Explanation: Meiosis involves two successive divisions after a single DNA replication, so one diploid cell yields four haploid daughter cells — distinguishing it from mitosis, which gives just two diploid cells.

  5. Q5 of 6Hard

    A diploid cell with chromosome number 2n=8 enters meiosis. How many chromosomes and chromatids are present in each cell at the end of meiosis I?

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    Answer: 4 chromosomes, 8 chromatids

    Explanation: After meiosis I, homologues have separated so each cell holds only n=4 chromosomes, but replication before meiosis I means each still carries two sister chromatids — 8 chromatids total, not yet split.

  6. Q6 of 6Hard

    Crossing over occurs during:

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    Answer: Prophase I of meiosis

    Explanation: Crossing over — exchange of segments between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes — happens at the pachytene sub-stage of prophase I, not in mitotic metaphase or anaphase II, which have no paired homologues to exchange with.

Cell Cycle and Cell Division notes: key concepts (Class 11 Biology)

Cells reproduce through an ordered cycle of growth and division. This chapter details interphase with its G1, S and G2 stages, the four mitotic phases that yield identical diploid cells, and the two meiotic divisions that halve chromosome number and generate the variation essential to sexual reproduction.

Cell cycle
An ordered sequence: interphase (G1, S, G2) prepares the cell and the shorter M phase divides it; a typical human cell cycle spans about 24 hours.
The cell cycle drawn as a wheel read clockwise. Interphase, the long part of the cycle marked by an outer arc, is made of G₁ (the largest sector), then S, where DNA is replicated, then G₂. It is followed by the short M phase, where the cell divides, after which the daughter cells enter G₁ again. An arrow leads out of G₁ to G₀, the quiescent stage of cells that stop dividing. In a typical human cell one turn of the cycle takes about 24 hours.
Interphase
The metabolically active 'resting' stage between divisions; DNA is replicated in S phase, while G1 and G2 grow the cell and build proteins and organelles.
G0 phase
A quiescent stage where cells exit the cycle and stop dividing yet stay metabolically active; mature neurons and heart muscle cells stay permanently in G0.
Prophase
Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, each with two chromatids; the spindle begins forming and the nuclear envelope and nucleolus start to disappear.
Metaphase
Condensed chromosomes align at the equatorial plate and spindle fibres attach to kinetochores of centromeres, giving the clearest view of chromosome shape.
An animal cell at metaphase of mitosis. Four condensed chromosomes, each made of two sister chromatids joined at a centromere, lie with their centromeres on the metaphase (equatorial) plate, drawn as a dashed vertical line across the middle of the cell. Spindle fibres run from the two poles, each with a pair of centrioles, to the kinetochores at the centromeres: the kinetochore facing one pole is attached to a fibre from that pole, the other to a fibre from the opposite pole.
Anaphase
Centromeres split, sister chromatids separate, and shortening spindle fibres pull them as daughter chromosomes toward opposite poles of the cell.
An animal cell at anaphase of mitosis. The centromeres have split and the two sister chromatids of each chromosome have separated. Each, now a daughter chromosome, is pulled by a shortening spindle fibre towards the pole on its own side, centromere first with the arms trailing behind. Four daughter chromosomes move to the left pole and four identical ones to the right pole, shown by red arrows pointing to the two poles.
Telophase
Chromosomes reach the poles and decondense, the nuclear envelope and nucleolus reform, and karyokinesis ends with two nuclei inside one cell.
Cytokinesis
Division of the cytoplasm: animal cells pinch inward by a cleavage furrow, whereas plant cells lay down a cell plate growing outward from the centre.
Significance of mitosis
Yields two genetically identical diploid cells; it drives growth, repair and replacement of worn cells and keeps the nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio constant.
Meiosis I
A reductional division: homologous chromosomes pair by synapsis, exchange segments through crossing over, then separate, halving the number to haploid.
Prophase I substages
The longest phase, in five stages — leptotene, zygotene, pachytene (crossing over), diplotene (chiasmata) and diakinesis — driving genetic recombination.
A bivalent, or tetrad, at pachytene to diplotene of prophase I: two homologous chromosomes paired side by side, homologue 1 in blue and homologue 2 in red, each made of two sister chromatids joined at a centromere. Two non-sister chromatids cross over at a chiasma, an X-shaped point where they have exchanged segments, so beyond it the blue chromatid carries a red segment and the red one a blue segment. The five substages in order: leptotene, zygotene, pachytene (crossing over), diplotene (chiasmata visible) and diakinesis.
Meiosis II
An equational division like mitosis: sister chromatids of the haploid cells separate, finally producing four haploid daughter cells from one parent cell.
Significance of meiosis
Halving chromosome number lets fertilisation restore diploidy; crossing over and independent assortment create the variation that fuels evolution.
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Cell Cycle and Cell Division — FAQs

What are the key concepts in Class 11 Biology Cell Cycle and Cell Division?+

Cells reproduce through an ordered cycle of growth and division. This chapter details interphase with its G1, S and G2 stages, the four mitotic phases that yield identical diploid cells, and the two meiotic divisions that halve chromosome number and generate the variation essential to sexual reproduction. Key ideas include Cell cycle, Interphase, G0 phase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase.

What does Class 11 Biology Chapter 10 (Cell Cycle and Cell Division) cover on XamBaaz?+

It has 90 NCERT-based MCQs on "Cell Cycle and Cell Division": 30 Easy, 30 Medium and 30 Hard. Together they make 9 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE & Maharashtra HSC Board exams, MHT-CET and NEET UG.

Are these "Cell Cycle and Cell Division" questions free to practise?+

Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Cell Cycle and Cell Division" free. Full unlimited access is ₹1,999/year. One year from the day you pay. You stay in Class 11 till 31 March; on 1 April your account moves up to Class 12 and the rest of your year carries over. No chapter is charged separately.

How should I revise "Cell Cycle and Cell Division" for the exam?+

Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 9 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.

Are these "Cell Cycle and Cell Division" MCQs available with answers?+

Yes. 6 sample questions are on this page with answers: tap an option, or "Show answer", to see the correct option and a step-by-step explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.

Is there negative marking in the "Cell Cycle and Cell Division" quizzes?+

Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip, the same negative marking as NEET UG. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.

What are the important questions from Cell Cycle and Cell Division (Class 11 Biology)?+

The questions that matter most test Cell cycle, Interphase, G0 phase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase. This page shows 6 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations. Sign in to practise all 90 questions on the chapter as timed quizzes.

Is there an online quiz for Cell Cycle and Cell Division?+

Yes — Class 11 Biology Cell Cycle and Cell Division has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.

Are there question answers and extra questions for Cell Cycle and Cell Division (Class 11 Biology)?+

Yes. This page has 6 solved questions on Cell Cycle and Cell Division, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Sign in to practise all 90 questions on the chapter as timed quizzes.

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