# A student is studying onion root tip cells undergoing mitosis. Explain why mitosis is important for the growth of the onion root tip, and describe what happens to the chromosomes during mitosis so that each new cell receives the correct genetic information.

> Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0) — Topic 2 Cells, Viruses and Reproduction · Explain · 5 marks

> Onion root tips are frequently used in biology to study cell division. The root tip contains a region called the meristem where cells actively divide by mitosis.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Mitosis produces new cells for growth (of the root tip) / increases the number of cells
2. The chromosomes are copied / DNA is replicated before the cell divides
3. The copies of each chromosome are separated / pulled to opposite ends / poles of the cell
4. Each new (daughter) cell receives an identical set of chromosomes / the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell
5. The new cells are genetically identical to the parent cell / to each other (clones)

## Key terms

- [mitosis](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/mitosis)
- [chromosomes](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/chromosomes)
- [genetic information](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/genetic-information)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0)](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-student-is-studying-onion-root-4c834300) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.