The big idea: New cells are made only by cell division: a parent cell divides to produce two daughter cells.
The points to remember
- This is true in all living organisms: bacteria, plants, fungi and animals.
- The cell that divides is the parent cell (often called the mother cell).
- The two new cells it produces are the daughter cells.
- Cells are never made from non-living material: every cell comes from a pre-existing cell.
- Each division doubles the number of cells: 1, 2, 4, 8 ...
Remember it as: One cell in, two cells out.
Real example: you. You began as one cell, a fertilised egg. About a day after fertilisation it divided into two cells, then four, then eight. Every one of the tens of trillions of cells in your body today came from that first cell by cell division.
Free preview
This is the free notes preview
You're reading the free notes. Aimnova Pro unlocks the full study experience — and you can try it with your first topic free to keep:
- FlashcardsLock in vocabulary and key terms with spaced repetition.
- Practice questionsAnswer exam-style questions and get instant AI marking.
- Mock exams & past-paper vaultSit full mocks and see exactly how examiners award marks.
- Personalised study planA daily plan built around your exam date and weak areas.
Start Studying Free Full access to Aimnova Pro · cancel anytime
What cell division is for: The same process, a cell dividing in two, does different jobs in different organisms.
| Organism | What cell division does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One cell (unicellular) | Reproduction: each division makes a new organism | A yeast cell or a bacterium |
| Many cells (multicellular) | Growth: more cells, a bigger body | A root tip growing |
| Many cells (multicellular) | Replacement of cells that wear out or die | Skin cells |
| Many cells (multicellular) | Repair of damaged tissue | A cut healing |
| Sexually reproducing | Making gametes (by meiosis) | Sperm and egg cells |
The nucleus divides first: In a eukaryotic cell the nucleus divides before the cell does, so that each daughter cell gets a nucleus. The next pages show how.
Never wonder what to study next
Get a personalized daily plan based on your exam date, progress, and weak areas. We'll tell you exactly what to review each day.
Try Free Study PlanYour first topic is free to keep • No credit card required
How it is asked: Usually as the first part of a longer question on cell division: where new cells come from, or how many cells one division makes.
IB-style questionOutline[2 marks]
Outline how new cells are produced in living organisms.
Model answer plan
See the answer broken into clear points, with guidance on how each point earns marks.