# A plant cutting is taken from a parent plant and placed in water until roots form. New cells are produced in the cutting by mitosis. Explain why it is important that the new cells produced in the cutting are genetically identical to the parent plant cells, and describe the process that ensures this happens.

> AQA A-Level Biology (7402) — 3.2.2 Cell Replication · Explain · 5 marks

> A gardener takes a cutting from a rose bush by removing a small stem section. The cutting is placed in water and, after several weeks, new roots and shoots form as the cutting grows into a new plant.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. New cells must be genetically identical to the parent plant so that the cutting grows into the correct type of plant / has the same characteristics as the parent
2. Before division, the DNA / chromosomes are copied / replicated so there are two copies of each chromosome
3. The copies of chromosomes / DNA are pulled to opposite ends / poles of the cell
4. The cell then divides / the nucleus divides to produce two daughter cells
5. Each daughter cell contains the same number of chromosomes / same genetic information as the parent cell

## Key terms

- [mitosis](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/mitosis)
- [genetically identical](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/genetically-identical)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Biology (7402)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-plant-cutting-is-taken-from-715d4c7b) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.