Lab 8 Cell Cycle and Mitosis

Lab8 is a virtual lab. Please read Sections 8.4-8.6 in your textbook before completing this lab.

Objectives:
• Understand the stages in the cell cycle
• Understanding the distinct stages in Mitosis

Introduction:
All life depends on cell division (section 8.1). Cells reproduce by dividing into new cells. Prokaryotic
cells, single-celled bacteria and archaea, go through a process called binary fission (section 8.2).
Binary fission is asexual reproduction by which one cell divides in half resulting in two genetically
identical cells. Eukaryotic cells can go through two different types of cell division, mitosis (section 8.5)
and meiosis (section 8.13). Mitosis is the process by which a cell divides creating two identical
daughter cells. Meiosis produces cells for sexual reproduction. Meiotic cell division results in four
daughter cells each with half as many chromosomes as the parent cell.

Mitosis is a part of the normal cell cycle (section 8.4). The cell cycle consists of two main stages: one
where the cell is metabolically active, a growing stage, called interphase and the stage where the
actual cell division takes place called the mitotic phase. Interphase consists of G1 (“first gap”), S
(“synthesis” of DNA), and G2 (“second gap”). The mitotic phase consists of mitosis and cytokinesis.
Mitosis involves dividing the genetic material and cytokinesis involves dividing the cytoplasm including
the organelles.

Figure 1 Illustration of main stages in the cell cycle

Mitosis consist of 4 main stages: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase. Since the process
of mitosis is a continuum of dynamic changes, none of the stages are static. For this lab, you will be
viewing onion root tips. The tips of the plant root are a rapidly growing part of the onion and will
normally contain cells in all stages of the cell cycle.

In these cells, the chromosomes are stained blue. Notice

• Interphase: nucleus exists and is completely blue.
• Prophase: chromosomes are more distinct.
• Metaphase: chromosomes are arranged linearly.
• Anaphase: chromosomes separate.
Interphase • Telophase: chromosomes in two distinct locations

Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase

Figure 2: Onion root tip example cells for each stage in the cell cycle.

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Procedure
Load the virtual microscope (http://www.udel.edu/biology/ketcham/microscope/scope.html). This is the
same microscope used in the microscope lab at the beginning of the semester. If needed, refer to the
microscope lab for more detailed instructions on how to use the microscope.

1. Load the prepared slide of an onion root tip. Using the microscope locate the region of dividing
cells. It is located slightly above the root tip (in the red circle) and will have smaller cells with
mitotic figures within them.
2. Using the high dry objective lens, identify cells containing the different stages of mitosis, i.e.
prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase as well as cells in interphase (not part of
mitosis).
3. Using the prepared slide make drawings of each of the stages as observed in the representative
plant cells. Use the examples above to help differentiate the stages.
• Label your drawings with the name of the specimen, the total magnification at which it is
being observed, and the name of each stage. Include your signature and date.
• Labels should always be complete, neat and readily legible. If you do not have access
to a printer, draw and label the stages on a blank sheet of paper. Submit a scan or
photograph of your drawings.
2. Go to the lab in Canvas to complete the lab including categorize onion root tip cells into the
stages of the cell cycle.

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 Mitosis and Cell Cycle Stages
Objective:

Total Magnification:

Specimen:

Stage: Stage: Stage:

Stage: Stage: