Experiment 1: Observation of Mitosis in a Plant Cell
Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment
Table 1: Mitosis Predictions
| Predictions: | ||
| Supporting Evidence |
Table 2: Mitosis Data
| Number of Cells in Each Stage | Total Number of Cells | Calculated % of Time Spent in Each Stage |
| Interphase: | Interphase: | |
| Prophase: | 14 | Prophase: 20 |
| Metaphase: | 19 | Metaphase: 30 |
| Anaphase: | 19 | Anaphase: 30 |
| Telophase: | 13 | Telophase: 20 |
| Cytokinesis: | Cytokinesis: |
Table 3: Stage Drawings
| Cell Stage: | Drawing: |
| Interphase: | |
| Prophase: | |
| Metaphase: | |
| Anaphase: | |
| Telophase: | |
| Cytokinesis: |
A
B
C
D
E
F
Post-Lab Questions
1. Label the arrows in the slide image below with the appropriate stage of the cell cycle.
2. What stage were most of the onion root tip cells in? Does this make sense?
– Most of the onion root tip cells were in during the metaphase and Anaphase stages because this is the stage where the chromosomes and the centromeres begin to organize.
3. As a cell grows, what happens to its surface area : volume ratio? (Hint: Think of a balloon being blown up). How does this ratio change with respect to cell division?
4. What is the function of mitosis in a cell that is about to divide?
· Mitosis follows interphase. During one of the four stages of mitosis called telophase, where one set of chromosomes have reached opposite ends of the cell. A nuclear envelope begins to form while the chromosomes uncoil back into chromatin, and a new nucleus is formed at each end of the cell. (esciencelabs: mitosis and meiosis)
5. What would happen if mitosis were uncontrolled?
–
6. How accurate were your time predication for each stage of the cell cycle?
– I believe that my time predictions were not so accurate as I expected the mitosis to be faster as the chromosomes began to take form to an additional cell.
7. Discuss one observation that you found interesting while looking at the onion root tip cells.
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