TheLucidSTEM‹ Biology simulationsBiology · IGCSE 0610 · 17 Inheritance: chromosomes, genes and proteins, mitosis and meiosis
0610 IGCSE Biology/Topic 17 Inheritance: chromosomes, genes and proteins, mitosis and meiosis/6 interactive simulations/drag to rotate the 3D models

Genes and cell division, made interactive

Six 3D simulations covering Topic 17.1 Chromosomes, genes and proteins, 17.2 Mitosis and 17.3 Meiosis. Zoom in on DNA, count chromosomes, build a protein, switch genes on and off, and step through both kinds of cell division. Tabs marked Extended cover the Supplement.

1. Chromosomes, DNA and genes 3D · 17.1

Chromosomes are made of DNA, which carries genetic information in the form of genes. Zoom in from a cell to a single gene, then compare two alleles.

drag to rotate · wheel to zoom

Zoom level

2. Chromosome sets and sex 3D · 17.1

A human body cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes. One pair, the sex chromosomes, decides sex: XX is female and XY is male. Compare cells, then see how sex is inherited.

drag to rotate · wheel to zoom

Cell

CHROMOSOMES
NUCLEUS
GIRLS (XX)
0
BOYS (XY)
0

3. How a protein is made 3D · 17.1Extended

The gene stays in the nucleus. A copy of it, messenger RNA, travels to a ribosome in the cytoplasm, which joins amino acids in the order set by the bases. Make the protein, then change one base and make it again.

drag to rotate · wheel to zoom

Protein synthesis

STAGE
waiting
AMINO ACIDS
0

4. Same genes, different proteins 3D · 17.1Extended

Almost every body cell contains the same genes, but each cell only expresses the genes for the proteins it needs. Click a cell to see which genes are switched on.

click a cell · drag to rotate · wheel to zoom

Cell

5. Mitosis 3D · 17.2

Mitosis is nuclear division that gives genetically identical cells. The chromosomes are copied exactly first, then the copies separate. This cell has two pairs of chromosomes.

drag to rotate · wheel to zoom

Steps

STEP
CHROMOSOMES PER CELL

6. Meiosis 3D · 17.3Extended

Meiosis makes gametes. It is a reduction division: the chromosome number is halved from diploid to haploid, and the gametes are genetically different. Red chromosomes came from the mother, blue from the father.

drag to rotate · wheel to zoom

Steps

STEP
CHROMOSOMES PER CELL
Built for Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610, Topic 17 (parts 17.1 to 17.3). Monohybrid inheritance is in the next lab. Models are simplified and not to scale.

About this lab: Chromosomes, genes and cell division

Six interactive 3D simulations for Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 topic 17 Inheritance, chromosomes and cell division: zoom from a cell to a gene and compare two alleles, haploid and diploid chromosome sets with the inheritance of sex, how a protein is made from mRNA at a ribosome and how one changed base changes its shape, gene expression in different cells, mitosis with stem cells, and meiosis making genetically different haploid gametes.

Six 3D simulations covering Topic 17.1 Chromosomes, genes and proteins, 17.2 Mitosis and 17.3 Meiosis. Zoom in on DNA, count chromosomes, build a protein, switch genes on and off, and step through both kinds of cell division. Tabs marked Extended cover the Supplement.

Chromosomes, genes and cell division is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (topic 17 Inheritance, sections 17.1 Chromosomes, genes and proteins, 17.2 Mitosis, 17.3 Meiosis). The course is assessed in Paper 1/2 (Multiple choice), Paper 3/4 (Theory), Paper 5 (Practical Test), Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical). Syllabus for examination in 2026-2028. There are 6 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.

Syllabus coverage

Full syllabus map: IGCSE Biology 0610 topic 17.

How to use this simulation

  1. 1. Chromosomes, DNA and genes. Chromosomes are made of DNA, which carries genetic information in the form of genes.
  2. 2. Chromosome sets and sex. A human body cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes.
  3. 3. How a protein is made. The gene stays in the nucleus.
  4. 4. Same genes, different proteins. Almost every body cell contains the same genes, but each cell only expresses the genes for the proteins it needs.
  5. 5. Mitosis. Mitosis is nuclear division that gives genetically identical cells.
  6. 6. Meiosis. Meiosis makes gametes.
  7. The buttons at the end of the tab strip give the scene the whole window (Full screen, Hide controls) and, on a dark stage, a projector-friendly palette (Light scene). Many scenes also have drag handles: drag them to change the set-up directly.

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