Cell Cycle Breakdown

Year 9 Science Understanding Cell Division and Growth 45-minute lesson

Learning Objectives

Describe the three main stages of the cell cycle Explain how DNA replication and division creates identical daughter cells Understand the importance of mitosis for growth and development Recognise examples of mitosis in everyday life

Starter Question

Imagine you have a tiny machine inside your body that can make exact copies of itself. What steps do you think it would need to follow to make this happen?

The Cell Cycle: Three Main Stages

Stage 1: Growth and Sub-cellular Structure Increase Stage 2: DNA Replication Stage 3: Mitosis and Cytoplasmic Division

Stage 1: Cell Growth

Stage 2: DNA Replication

Stage 3: Mitosis and Division

Group Activity: Sequencing the Cell Cycle

Work in groups of 4-5 students Arrange the cell cycle stage cards in correct order Discuss your sequence with your group Prepare a justification sentence for your arrangement

Mitosis in Real Life

Wound healing and skin repair Growth of hair and nails Plant growth and development Blood cell replacement Muscle tissue repair after exercise

Assessment and Reflection

Can you describe the three stages of the cell cycle? Why is it important that DNA is copied before mitosis? Give one example of where mitosis occurs in your daily life