Mitosis Replication of Eukaryotic Cells
Exercise 13
MITOSIS: REPLICATION OF EUKARYOTIC CELLS
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. a. Mitosis and cytokinesis are often referred to collectively as "cellular division." Why are they more accurately called cellular replication? The result of mitosis is production of two cells (replicates) identical to the parent cell. The genetic material is replicated rather than divided. b. Does the cell cycle have a beginning and an end? The organization of our study of cellular events indicates a beginning and end, but the events continue to repeat. 2. a. If a nucleus has eight chromosomes during interphase, how many chromosomes does it have during metaphase? During metaphase there are 8 double-stranded chromosomes. b. How many does it have after mitosis is complete? After mitosis (and separation of chromatids) there are 16 chromosomes distributed between two nuclei. 3. a. Why would we choose an embryonic mass of cells for procedure 13.3 in which to study the stages of mitosis? embryonic cells are replicating and growing rapidly b. Which stage of mitosis most often is associated with the beginning of cytokinesis? usually late anaphase 4. a. What region of a root has the most mitotic activity? meristem, just above cap b. Why is pinching of the cytoplasm inadequate for cytokinesis in plant cells? Pinching of cytoplasm is not appropriate for rigid cell walls. c. Locate a plant cell in late telophase. What is the volume of the new cells relative to a mature cell? Each cell is smaller (approximately 1/2) than the parent cell. 5. a. Why are the combined data from all the class members more meaningful than your results alone? Combined results reduce random error. b. How accurate were your predictions for length of each stage of mitosis? probably not close c. What sources of error can you list for this technique to determine the time elapsed during each stage of mitosis? variation in onion roots; student's ability to distinguish stages; microscopic cross sections of roots may or may not
MITOSIS: REPLICATION OF EUKARYOTIC CELLS
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. a. Mitosis and cytokinesis are often referred to collectively as "cellular division." Why are they more accurately called cellular replication? The result of mitosis is production of two cells (replicates) identical to the parent cell. The genetic material is replicated rather than divided. b. Does the cell cycle have a beginning and an end? The organization of our study of cellular events indicates a beginning and end, but the events continue to repeat. 2. a. If a nucleus has eight chromosomes during interphase, how many chromosomes does it have during metaphase? During metaphase there are 8 double-stranded chromosomes. b. How many does it have after mitosis is complete? After mitosis (and separation of chromatids) there are 16 chromosomes distributed between two nuclei. 3. a. Why would we choose an embryonic mass of cells for procedure 13.3 in which to study the stages of mitosis? embryonic cells are replicating and growing rapidly b. Which stage of mitosis most often is associated with the beginning of cytokinesis? usually late anaphase 4. a. What region of a root has the most mitotic activity? meristem, just above cap b. Why is pinching of the cytoplasm inadequate for cytokinesis in plant cells? Pinching of cytoplasm is not appropriate for rigid cell walls. c. Locate a plant cell in late telophase. What is the volume of the new cells relative to a mature cell? Each cell is smaller (approximately 1/2) than the parent cell. 5. a. Why are the combined data from all the class members more meaningful than your results alone? Combined results reduce random error. b. How accurate were your predictions for length of each stage of mitosis? probably not close c. What sources of error can you list for this technique to determine the time elapsed during each stage of mitosis? variation in onion roots; student's ability to distinguish stages; microscopic cross sections of roots may or may not