In order to better understand the cell cycle and the different phases of mitosis, students were expected to observe cell division in an onion root. I hypothesized that we would observe more cells in interphase since most of a cell’s life is spent in interphase. In order to make observations, we used a light microscope to view two slides of an onion root—one had been previously prepared while the other slide was made by each individual student. Furthermore, we then counted how many cells were in which phase and recorded our data. Our observations showed that our of the first 100 cell counted, 43 were in interphase and after counting 215 cells there were 117 cells in interphase (Table IB 8, Table IC). Additionally, later phases in mitosis were
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During interphase, the cell grows, replicates and rests in order to save enough energy for undergoing the process of mitosis. The following phase is prophase. During prophase, the chromosomes condense, the nucleolus disappears and the mitotic spindle forms (the spindle along with the microtubules help chromosomes move in later stages. Next, the prometaphase begins. During the prometaphase, the nuclear membrane breaks down and the mitotic spindle beings to connect with the chromosomes. Next, the metaphase which is marked by the alignment of the chromosomes in the middle on the mitotic spindle. The chromosomes then begin to separate into two identical group with each group moving to the opposite end of the mitotic spindle—this process marks anaphase. The nuclear membrane reappears during telophase, which follows anaphase. During telophase, the nuclear membrane forms around each group of chromosomes in order to separate the DNA. Soon after, the cell begins to divide into two identical daughter cells—this process is called …show more content…
Using this set, we had to arrange the different phases into the appropriate order of mitosis. Once we finished rearranging the phases into their appropriate order, we (my lab partner, TA and I) briefly discussed each stage and the importance of mitosis. For the second activity of mitosis, we used the slides that had been previously prepared in order to identify the different phases of mitosis—we also used the light microscope in order to see the different phases. We were expected to focus on the tip of the root when identifying the different phases. While one person was identifying the different phases of mitosis, the other person wrote them down on the table (Vivian and I alternated). For the third activity of mitosis, each student had to prepare their own slide. After we prepared our slides, we looked through the light microscope in order to see the cells of the onion root—again focusing on the tip. Once we were able to see the cells, we were supposed to identify the different stages of mitosis. However, I was not able to identify different stages in my prepared slide since it was too blue. I did not rinse the root in water enough, after applying the Toluidine Blue. Additionally, I had to prepare a slide twice since I forgot to wait 10 minutes after applying the HCl on my first attempt. In order to prevent this, I could have looked at the
During interphase, the cell grows, replicates and rests in order to save enough energy for undergoing the process of mitosis. The following phase is prophase. During prophase, the chromosomes condense, the nucleolus disappears and the mitotic spindle forms (the spindle along with the microtubules help chromosomes move in later stages. Next, the prometaphase begins. During the prometaphase, the nuclear membrane breaks down and the mitotic spindle beings to connect with the chromosomes. Next, the metaphase which is marked by the alignment of the chromosomes in the middle on the mitotic spindle. The chromosomes then begin to separate into two identical group with each group moving to the opposite end of the mitotic spindle—this process marks anaphase. The nuclear membrane reappears during telophase, which follows anaphase. During telophase, the nuclear membrane forms around each group of chromosomes in order to separate the DNA. Soon after, the cell begins to divide into two identical daughter cells—this process is called …show more content…
Using this set, we had to arrange the different phases into the appropriate order of mitosis. Once we finished rearranging the phases into their appropriate order, we (my lab partner, TA and I) briefly discussed each stage and the importance of mitosis. For the second activity of mitosis, we used the slides that had been previously prepared in order to identify the different phases of mitosis—we also used the light microscope in order to see the different phases. We were expected to focus on the tip of the root when identifying the different phases. While one person was identifying the different phases of mitosis, the other person wrote them down on the table (Vivian and I alternated). For the third activity of mitosis, each student had to prepare their own slide. After we prepared our slides, we looked through the light microscope in order to see the cells of the onion root—again focusing on the tip. Once we were able to see the cells, we were supposed to identify the different stages of mitosis. However, I was not able to identify different stages in my prepared slide since it was too blue. I did not rinse the root in water enough, after applying the Toluidine Blue. Additionally, I had to prepare a slide twice since I forgot to wait 10 minutes after applying the HCl on my first attempt. In order to prevent this, I could have looked at the