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Leaving Cert Biology: Cell continuity

How often Cell continuity comes up on the Biology papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

OL Asked on 7 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

June 2027 is the first exam on the new Biology course. These come from the 2016–2026 papers, so read them as a guide.

Cell continuity, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Cell continuity.

(a)Longest phase of the cell cycle?
  1. Metaphase
  2. Interphase
  3. Anaphase
(b)Stage where chromosomes line up at the equator?
  1. Telophase
  2. Prophase
  3. Metaphase
(c)Stage where chromatids move to opposite poles?
  1. Anaphase
  2. Prophase
  3. Metaphase
Show the answers

(a) Interphase

(b) Metaphase

(c) Anaphase

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Cell continuity.

Higher Level

Asked on 10 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q16
2025Q16
2024Q6, Q17
2023Q6
2022Q14
2021Q3
2019Q4
2018Q3
2017Q13
2016Q6

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Cell continuity questions

Cell continuity, 2 marks

Stage where nuclear membranes re-form?

  1. Prophase
  2. Metaphase
  3. Telophase
Show the answer

Telophase

Chromosomes reach the poles and uncoil, nuclear membranes re-form around them and the spindle breaks down. It's like prophase in reverse.

Cell continuity, 2 marks

Division of the cytoplasm after mitosis?

  1. Replication
  2. Cytokinesis
  3. Meiosis
Show the answer

Cytokinesis

In animal cells the membrane pinches in; in plant cells a cell plate forms. It follows division of the nucleus.

Cell continuity, 2 marks

Region where two chromatids are joined?

  1. Centromere
  2. Nucleolus
  3. Spindle
Show the answer

Centromere

Spindle fibres attach at the centromere; in anaphase it splits so each chromatid becomes a separate chromosome.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 7 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q3
2025Q7
2024Q3
2023Not asked
2022Q12
2021Q12
2019Q2
2018Not asked
2017Q10
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Cell continuity questions

Cell continuity, 2 marks

Which type of cell division produces two identical cells?

  1. Meiosis
  2. Fertilisation
  3. Mitosis
Show the answer

Mitosis

Mitosis makes an exact copy, so it is used for growth and repair. Meiosis makes gametes and halves the chromosome number.

Cell continuity, 2 marks

Which type of cell division produces gametes (sex cells)?

  1. Fertilisation
  2. Meiosis
  3. Mitosis
Show the answer

Meiosis

Meiosis halves the chromosome number, so when two gametes join at fertilisation the full number is restored.

Cell continuity, 2 marks

How many chromosomes are in a normal human body cell?

  1. 46
  2. 23
  3. 92
Show the answer

46

46 chromosomes, that is 23 pairs, in every body cell. Gametes have half that, just 23.

Other Biology topics

All of Leaving Cert Biology