Chapter 10 of Class 11 NCERT Biology is called Cell Cycle and Cell Division. This chapter explains how cells grow, replicate and divide. It covers all the phases of the cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis, and the significance of each process in growth and reproduction. This chapter forms the foundation for understanding genetics, heredity and even diseases like cancer that occur due to uncontrolled cell division.
I’m writing about this chapter because many students struggle with visualising the stages of mitosis and meiosis. But once you understand the flow of phases and the purpose of each one, it becomes one of the most logical and important chapters in Biology. Whether you are preparing for CBSE board exams or competitive exams like NEET, this topic is unavoidable. That’s why I’ve also included the official NCERT PDF link at the end of the post so you can refer to the original text, diagrams, and explanations for quick revision and better clarity.
Understanding the Cell Cycle and Cell Division
The cell cycle is the sequence of events a cell goes through as it grows and divides. Cell division is essential for growth, development, and tissue repair in multicellular organisms.
The two main types of cell division explained in this chapter are:
- Mitosis: Produces two identical daughter cells
- Meiosis: Produces four haploid gametes
Key Terms to Remember
- Centromere: Point where sister chromatids are joined
- Spindle fibres: Help in chromosome movement
- Chromatid vs Chromosome: Chromatids are the duplicated halves of a chromosome
- Cytokinesis: Final stage where the cytoplasm divides
Download PDF
Click Here to Download NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 10: Cell Cycle and Cell Division PDF

















