Complete NEET preparation for Cell Cycle and Cell Division. Covers interphase (G1, S, G2), mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase), meiosis I and II, significance of each division, and G0 quiescent stage. NCERT-aligned notes, 32 PYQs, and 8 interactive widgets for NEET 2027.
Chapter Notes
Complete NCERT-aligned notes with KaTeX equations, worked NEET problems and inline interactive widgets.
NEET Questions
30+ NEET previous year questions with full step-by-step solutions, grouped by topic.
Interactive Learning
Live calculators for vernier, screw gauge, error propagation, dimensional analysis and more.
Cell cycle overview: G1 (growth), S (DNA replication), G2 (preparation), M phase (division)
G0 quiescent stage: cells exit the cycle and enter a non-dividing resting state
Interphase details: G1 protein synthesis, S phase chromosome replication (2N to 4N DNA content), G2 organelle duplication
Mitosis: prophase (chromatin condensation, spindle formation), metaphase (chromosomes at metaphase plate), anaphase (sister chromatids separate), telophase (nuclear envelopes reform), cytokinesis
Significance of mitosis: growth, repair, asexual reproduction, identical daughter cells
Meiosis I (reductional division): prophase I (leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene, diakinesis), metaphase I, anaphase I, telophase I
Crossing over: exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes during pachytene; produces recombinant chromosomes
Meiosis II (equational division): similar to mitosis; separates sister chromatids; produces 4 haploid cells
Significance of meiosis: halving chromosome number for sexual reproduction, genetic variation via crossing over and independent assortment
Worked NEET problems on every topic
32 questions from Cell Cycle and Cell Division across the last 5 NEET papers.
NEET 2017
4
questions
NEET 2018
5
questions
NEET 2019
5
questions
NEET 2020
4
questions
NEET 2021
7
questions
NEET 2022
7
questions
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Cell Cycle and Cell Division is a High Weightage chapter with about 5 questions per NEET exam. Questions focus on identifying phases of mitosis/meiosis, events in interphase, significance of divisions, crossing over, and chromosome number changes.
Mitosis produces 2 genetically identical diploid (2N) daughter cells; it occurs in somatic cells for growth and repair. Meiosis produces 4 genetically unique haploid (N) cells; it occurs in reproductive organs to form gametes. Meiosis has two rounds of division (meiosis I and II); mitosis has only one.
DNA replication (synthesis) occurs during S phase. The DNA content doubles from 2N to 4N (in a diploid cell), but the chromosome number stays the same. Each chromosome now consists of two identical sister chromatids joined at the centromere.
Crossing over is the exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes. It occurs during pachytene of prophase I of meiosis. The site of crossing over is called a chiasma (plural: chiasmata). Crossing over produces recombinant chromosomes, which is the main source of genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms.
Meiosis (1) halves the chromosome number from diploid (2N) to haploid (N), maintaining the species chromosome number across generations; (2) generates genetic variation through crossing over during prophase I and independent assortment of homologous chromosomes; and (3) produces gametes for sexual reproduction.
G0 (quiescent phase) is a resting state outside the active cell cycle. Cells in G0 have exited G1 and are not dividing. Some cells (like mature neurons) are permanently in G0. Others (like liver cells) can re-enter the cycle when stimulated. G0 cells are metabolically active but not preparing for division.
In anaphase of mitosis, sister chromatids separate (centromere splits; sister chromatids move to opposite poles). In anaphase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes separate (the centromere does NOT split; each chromosome still consists of two chromatids moving together). Sister chromatids separate only in anaphase II of meiosis.
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