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Exploration Lab

OBSERVATION

Mitosis
All cells undergo a process of growth and division called the cell cycle. The cell cycle consists of three major stages: interphase, mitosis, and cytokinesis. During interphase, the cell grows and the cells DNA replicates. The next phase is mitosis, during which the replicated genetic material separates into two identical nuclei. Mitosis is divided into four stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Cytokinesis, the last stage of cell division, is the division of the cell cytoplasm between the two new, genetically identical daughter cells. In this lab, you will study and compare mitosis in animal cells and plant cells. You will also identify cells in the different stages of mitosis. OBJECTIVES Observe and identify cells undergoing the process of mitosis. Compare the stages of mitosis in plant cells with these stages in animal cells. MATERIALS

compound light microscope prepared slides (longitudinal sections of onion or garlic root tips) prepared slides (whitefish blastula or other animal tissue)

Procedure
PART 1: MITOSIS IN PLANT CELLS
1. Observe a prepared slide of a longitudinal section of onion or garlic root tips. Use low power to locate the region of actively dividing cells near the end of the root. Using high power, examine individual cells in the region. Find a cell from each stage of mitosis, using the descriptions below. In the space next to each description, draw a cell in that stage as it appears on your slide. Label the visible part of the cell.

Interphase This is the phase of normal cell activity. During interphase, individual chromosomes cannot be distinguished. Instead they appear as a dark mass of material called chromatin. The DNA of each chromosome replicates at the end of this stage. Note the nucleus with one or more dark-stained nucleoli filled with chromatin.

Nuclear membrane

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Chromosomes and Cell Reproduction Chapter Title

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Mitosis continued
Prophase The chromatin appears as a mass of thick threads. These threads are the replicated chromosomes, which have coiled up and shortened. Each chromosome consists of a pair of chromatids, which are duplicates of the original chromosome. The chromatids are held together by a centromere. In late prophase, the chromosomes are distinctly visible as pairs of chromatids in the central region of the cell.
Spindle fibers

Cell membrane

Cell wall

Chromosomes

Metaphase The chromosomes line up across the equator of the cell. A mass of fibers called a spindle has formed between the poles of the cell and the mass of chromosomes. A spindle fiber from each pole attaches to each pair of chromatids.

Anaphase The centromere of each chromatid pair divides. The chromatids move along the spindle fibers toward the poles of the cell. Each chromatid in the pair of chromatids moves toward opposite poles of the cell. Telophase The chromatids (now called chromosomes) have formed clumps at each pole. A new nuclear membrane forms around the chromosomes, which uncoil and return to the chromatin network seen in interphase. In plants, the new cell walls grow to form the two new, identical daughter cells.

2. Describe the shape of the cells and the color of the chromosomes.

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Chromosomes and Cell Reproduction Chapter Title

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Mitosis continued
PART 2: MITOSIS IN ANIMAL CELLS
3. Observe the prepared slide of the whitefish blastula or other animal cells. Use low power to locate the cells, then examine them under high power. Find a cell from each stage, using the descriptions below. In the space near each description, draw a cell in that stage as it appears on your slide. Label the visible parts of the cell.
Nucleolus Cell membrane Chromosomes

Cell membrane Chromatin Nuclear membrane Centrioles Spindle fibers

Interphase A distinct nucleus and a nucleolus are visible. The genetic material appears as chromatin.

Prophase In early prophase, astral rays have formed around the centrioles, and the spindle has formed between them. The paired chromatids are becoming visible, and the nuclear membrane has disappeared. In late prophase, the chromosomes are short and thick, and are distinct in the central region of the cell.

Chromosomes

Metaphase The chromosomes line up at the center of the cell, along the equator.

Anaphase The chromatids separate at their centromere and are pulled to opposite poles along the spindle fibers.
Chromosomes

Cell membranes

Telophase The chromosomes appear in clusters at the poles. The parent cell begins to elongate, and the nuclear membranes reform around the chromosome clusters. The spindle and chromosomes become less distinct. The cytoplasm pinches in until the two daughter cells separate during late telophase.
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Mitosis continued
4. Describe the shape of the chromosomes as they are pulled to the poles in anaphase.

5. Clean up your work area and wash your hands before leaving the lab.

Analysis
1. Identifying Relationships How does mitosis differ in plant cells and animal cells?

2. Analyzing Data Which phase of mitosis shows the greatest difference between animal cells and plant cells? Explain your choice.

Conclusions
1. Drawing Conclusions What role do you think mitosis plays in living things? Justify your answer.

Extensions
1. Building Models Mitosis in onion root tip cells takes about 80 minutes. If you view a slide of a root tip and count the number of cells in each stage of mitosis, you can then calculate the amount of time each stage takes. This is because the percentage of the cells in a particular stage of mitosis is equal to the percentage of 80 minutes that the stage takes. Using this information, devise a method for calculating the amount of time each stage of mitosis takes. 2. Research and Communications Research the length of time mitosis takes in plant cells and in animal cells.

Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Holt Program Title Biology

52

Chromosomes and Cell Reproduction Chapter Title