Mitosis in Onion Root Tips
Make a sketch of a representative cell in each of the four stages of mitosis in the space provided below.
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
Can you distinguish any cells?
Yes, you can identify cells that are undergoing development. In prophase, the chromosomes make and x shape. In metaphase, the chromosomes are moved to the middle of the cell. In anaphase, the chromosomes look like they are being pulled apart. And in telophase, the cell starts dividing.
Are some cells longer than others?
Some cells, do in fact, elongate during the development process. The cells will start to elongate in the anaphase stage.
Looking near the root tip (but not at the root cap), can you see any cells in the process of cell division?
Yes you can.
Interphase
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
Total
Number of cells
20
10
3
2
1
36
Percent of cells
55.5%
28.7%
8.3%
5.5%
2%
100%
Number of minutes spent in phase
533
275
80
53
19
960 min
**The Biology Project; University of Arizona; January 9, 2003; Revised: August 2004 http://www.biology.arizona.edu All contents copyright © 2002. All rights reserved.
Insert your pie chart here:
Mitosis in Animal Cells
Summarize the differences between mitosis in plants and animals.
Plants have a spindle but lack centrioles. Animals, on the other hand, have a spindle of microtubules that have a centriole at the end of the spindle. Another difference is that when plants go through cytokinesis, cell plates form in the middle of the mother cell and turns into a rigid cell wall that separates the two daughter cells. Instead of this, animal cells during cytokinesis make a cleavage furor that will pinch the plasma membrane, effectively dividing the two daughter cells.
Modeling the Stages of Mitosis
Note: This part is optional. If you do not have the materials necessary, please visit one of the following resources to review mitosis again.
1.