Wayground
Quick Check - Meiosis and Mitosis - Printable Science Worksheets grade 8 - Wayground

Quick Check - Meiosis and Mitosis

12 questions

8th - 8th Grade

Science

Quick Check - Meiosis and Mitosis is a Grade 8 science worksheet that checks students’ understanding of how mitosis and meiosis produce different types and numbers of daughter cells. Across 12 items, students answer nine multiple-choice questions, complete a matching task, use drag-and-drop statements, and select responses from a dropdown. The questions cover haploid chromosome number, mitosis for growth and repair, meiosis for making gametes, chromosome and chromatid terminology, the nucleus as the location of chromosomes and DNA, and crossing over as a source of genetic variation. This worksheet helps students compare mitosis and meiosis by applying key relationships: mitosis produces two identical daughter cells, while meiosis produces four different daughter cells. It also connects these processes to asexual and sexual reproduction and asks students to interpret a chromosome image showing crossing over or recombination. Use it as a quick formative check, review activity, or independent assessment. It is a free printable worksheet with a complete answer key.

Worksheet settings

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Quick Check - Meiosis and Mitosis

Total questions: 12

Name
Class
Date
1.

In humans, the haploid number of chromosomes is ____.

a)

23

b)

46

c)

69

d)

92

2.

How many cells are formed at the end of Meiosis?

a)

2

b)

3

c)

4

d)

8

3.
When you start with 1 cell, at the end of mitosis, how many identical cells will you have?
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
4.

Match the following

Mitosis

Makes skin cells

Meiosis

Makes gametes (sperm & egg)

Asexual Reproduction

1 parent

Sexual Reproduction

2 parents

5.

Mitosis make ​ (a)   , which are ​ (b)   to the parent cell. Meiosis makes ​ (c)   , which are ​ (d)   than the parent cell.

Choose from the below words
2 daughter cells
identical
4 daughter cells
different
6.

In complex organisms mitosis ​is used ​for (a)   . Cells made by mitosis will be ​ (b)   to the parent cell. This similar to ​ (c)   If a parent cell has 16 chromosomes the daughter cells will have ​ (d)  

Choose from the below words
growth & repair or tissues
identical
asexual reproduction
16 chromosomes.
8 chromosomes
making gametes
different
sexual reproduction
7.

This image shows chromosomes during Meiosis. Which of the following correctly describes the process shown?

a)

separating of sister chromatids

b)

condensing and separating of genes

c)

mutationin which the DNA content of the gene is altered

d)

crossing over or recombination in which genes are exchanged between chromosomes

8.
What is an advantage of sexual reproduction?
a)
Allows genetic variation
b)
Only needs one parent
c)
Happens very quickly
d)
Offspring are exact copies of parent
9.

The part of the cell that contains chromosomes and genes is the:

a)

Mitochondria

b)

Nucleus

c)

Chloroplast

d)

Ribosomes

10.
Which organelle is DNA usually found in?
a)
cell membrane
b)
vacuole
c)
chloroplast
d)
nucleus
11.

Bundled up, organized DNA is called a

a)

gene

b)

trait

c)

chromosome

d)

nucleotide

12.

The 2 exact copies of DNA in a chromosome are called ________.

a)

chromatids

b)

genes

c)

mutations

d)

pathogens

Answer Key

Quick Check - Meiosis and Mitosis

Total questions: 12

1.
a)

23

2.
c)

4

3.
b) 2
4.

Mitosis

 - 

Makes skin cells

, 

Meiosis

 - 

Makes gametes (sperm & egg)

, 

Asexual Reproduction

 - 

1 parent

, 

Sexual Reproduction

 - 

2 parents

5.
2 daughter cells, identical, 4 daughter cells, different
6.
growth & repair or tissues, identical, asexual reproduction, 16 chromosomes.
7.
d)

crossing over or recombination in which genes are exchanged between chromosomes

8.
a) Allows genetic variation
9.
b)

Nucleus

10.
d) nucleus
11.
c)

chromosome

12.
a)

chromatids

Browse by subjects

Browse by grades

Browse by format

FAQs

What does the Quick Check - Meiosis and Mitosis worksheet cover?

This Grade 8 science worksheet uses 12 items—nine multiple-choice questions, matching, drag-and-drop, and dropdown tasks—to assess how mitosis and meiosis differ. Students identify chromosome and chromatid terms, determine the number and similarity of daughter cells, connect each process to reproduction, and recognize crossing over or recombination.

How can I use this worksheet to teach the differences between mitosis and meiosis?

Introduce the comparison with a two-column class chart for mitosis and meiosis, including daughter-cell number, similarity to the parent cell, and connection to asexual or sexual reproduction. Then have students complete the matching and drag-and-drop items while explaining why each description belongs in its selected category. Use the crossing-over image and the questions about chromosome number as prompts for a brief discussion before students finish the multiple-choice review.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this mitosis and meiosis worksheet?

Watch for students reversing the outcomes: mitosis produces two identical daughter cells, whereas meiosis produces four daughter cells that differ from the parent cell. Students may also confuse haploid chromosome number with another option, identify chromatids as genes or chromosomes, or miss that crossing over involves exchanging genes between chromosomes. In the dropdown and drag-and-drop items, check that students connect mitosis with growth and repair and meiosis with making gametes.

How do I assign and grade this meiosis and mitosis worksheet?

Wayground provides this worksheet as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz, so you can assign the 12-item check in the format that fits your lesson. It includes a complete answer key for reviewing the multiple-choice, matching, drag-and-drop, and dropdown responses. Printable submissions can be graded by scanning student work with the Wayground for Teachers app.

How can I differentiate this meiosis and mitosis worksheet for my students?

Use the worksheet’s Advanced Settings to adjust font spacing and font size so the chromosome vocabulary, comparison statements, and response options are easier to read. You can also enable a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language when appropriate for your learners.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to support mastery of essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

© 2026 Wayground Inc.

Accessibility and Inclusion