D2.1.12 (HL)—Cell proliferation
Cell proliferation increases cell number through repeated mitosis, measurable by mitotic index in growth, regeneration and tumours in active tissues.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- D2.1.12
- Level
- HL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing4%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2024
Most common paperPaper2
Typical marks1–2
Common command terms
- Distinguish
- Deduce
- Calculate
- Describe
- Compare
- Evaluate
- Outline
- Identify
- Suggest
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Using raw numbers without calculating the fraction of mitotic cells.
Recent exam appearances
May 2024Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ21(b)(ii)[ 1 ]D2.1.12 (HL)—Cell proliferation
May 2024Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ21(b)(i)[ 1 ]D2.1.12 (HL)—Cell proliferation
May 2024Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ21(a)(i)[ 2 ]D2.1.12 (HL)—Cell proliferation
May 2021Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ11(d)[ 3 ]D2.1.12 (HL)—Cell proliferation
May 2021Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ11(b)[ 3 ]D2.1.12 (HL)—Cell proliferation
Practice this objective
Coverage 2016–2024 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Cell proliferation increases cell number by repeated division.
- Mitotic index is cells in mitosis divided by total observed cells.
- Meristems and regenerating tissues can have high mitotic indices.
- Chemicals that reduce mitotic index can slow growth or proliferation.