Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis
Abstract:
The question of the investigation is if lectin can induce mitosis in the cell of an onion root tip. The hypothesis is that, if the lectin does not induce mitosis, then there should not be a great change in the number of cells that undergo mitosis. The alternate is, if the lectin does induce mitosis, then there should be an increase in of cells in mitosis. The control group of the experiment had root tip treated with water, and the experimental had root tip treated with lectin. Upon the chi-square analysis, it can be concluded that the lectin does induce mitosis.
Methods:
1) The onion root tip* was placed in a 12M solution of HCL for four minutes.
2) The onion root tip was then transferred to Carnoy’s fixiative for another four minutes.
3) A slide was taken from the Coplin jar (contains 70% ethanol), dried with a scientific cleansing wipe and labeled.
4) The tip was placed on a slide and the distal 2mm portion or the tip was cut and the rest of the root thrown away.
5) The cut tip was then covered with carbol-fuschin stain for 2 minutes.
6) After that, blot off extra stain and place one or two drops of water over the tip.
7) The cover slip was then placed over the tip.
8) Then a scientific cleaning wipe was placed over the cover slip.
9) The eraser end of a pencil was then taken and the holder pressed down on the tip firmly without twisting the slide or breaking the cover slip.
10) Finally, once completed, the slide was taken to a microscope for counting.
*Prior to the lab, two sets of onion root tips were prepared. The control group was treated with water, and the experimental group was treated with lectin. Bottles 1 and 3 contained the lectin treated root tips and bottles 2 and 4 contained the lectin treated with water. The tips in the bottles 1 and 2 were used.
The question of the investigation is if lectin can induce mitosis in the cell of an onion root tip. The hypothesis is that, if the lectin does not induce mitosis, then there should not be a great change in the number of cells that undergo mitosis. The alternate is, if the lectin does induce mitosis, then there should be an increase in of cells in mitosis. The control group of the experiment had root tip treated with water, and the experimental had root tip treated with lectin. Upon the chi-square analysis, it can be concluded that the lectin does induce mitosis.
Methods:
1) The onion root tip* was placed in a 12M solution of HCL for four minutes.
2) The onion root tip was then transferred to Carnoy’s fixiative for another four minutes.
3) A slide was taken from the Coplin jar (contains 70% ethanol), dried with a scientific cleansing wipe and labeled.
4) The tip was placed on a slide and the distal 2mm portion or the tip was cut and the rest of the root thrown away.
5) The cut tip was then covered with carbol-fuschin stain for 2 minutes.
6) After that, blot off extra stain and place one or two drops of water over the tip.
7) The cover slip was then placed over the tip.
8) Then a scientific cleaning wipe was placed over the cover slip.
9) The eraser end of a pencil was then taken and the holder pressed down on the tip firmly without twisting the slide or breaking the cover slip.
10) Finally, once completed, the slide was taken to a microscope for counting.
*Prior to the lab, two sets of onion root tips were prepared. The control group was treated with water, and the experimental group was treated with lectin. Bottles 1 and 3 contained the lectin treated root tips and bottles 2 and 4 contained the lectin treated with water. The tips in the bottles 1 and 2 were used.