Cell Reproduction 1: Mitosis in Root Tips
Cell Reproduction 1: Mitosis in Root Tips
CELL REPRODUCTION 1
MITOSIS IN ROOT TIPS
Anaphase
Telophase
Metaphase
Interphase
Prophase
Magnification: 40×10
Mitosis in root tip – Prepared Slides
Prophase
Anaphase
Telophase
Interphase
Metaphase
Magnification: 10×10
QUESTIONS
1. In which part of plants can you find this process besides the root tip?
The tip of branches and stems in xylem and phloem.
3. Give one part of human body where you can find this process.
Stomach lining.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this lab was to observe and identify the stages of mitosis division in the root tip under
the light microscope. This experiment was carried out using onion’s root tip. The onion root tips occurs
the mitosis process. There are 5 stages of mitosis process which are the Interphase, Prophase,
Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase.
The material was prepared and the slide was examined under the light microscope. The cells are not
clear to be seen but it is still able to give a general idea of what is going on. Using the x4 and x10
objective lenses, the stages could not be seen as it appears to show the outer surface of the cells and
not within it. It appeared as tiny little dots. Using the x100 objectve lens, it was observed that the cells
were looking like a brick-like structure. The cell walls and nuclei in the onion root were visible. Some had
small nuclei and some cells had bigger nuclei. The chromatin in the nucleus of a few cells which is
thought to be condensed can also be seen under the light microscope.
According to the results obtained, when observing the onion root tip cells for the stage of interphase,
the chromosomes are not visible and the chromatin is not yet condensed and uncoiled. The cell here
was getting itself ready for mitosis. In prophase, the cells were identified as the chromosomes were
visible and condensed. The centrosome movement, spindle formation and nuclear envelope breakdown
occur but of course it can’t be seen here. While the cell in metaphase stage, the condensed chromatin
lined up at the metaphase plate. When observing the cell in anaphase, the overall cell shape stayed the
same and they still had a circular shape. The chromosome or condensed chromatin break apart from
their duplicates and head towards opposite poles as individual chromosomes. The breakdown of protein
holding the sister chromatids together at the centromere allows the chromatids to separate. And finally
in telophase the cell looks like two circular cells joined together. In this stage which is the final stage the
chromosomes usually reached the opposite poles and a nuclear membrane begins to form around each
nucleus which is then followed by cytokinesis. Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm which usually
well underway by late telophase, so the daughter cell appears shortly after the ends of mitosis.
Cytokinesis is not identified in this cell.
CONCLUSION
The objective of this experiment is achieved where students were asked to observe, identify and draw
the cells in the different phases of mitosis. The results proved the hypothesis because we found the
stages of mitosis in the root tip which are interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.
However, it is believed that there are chances of error while conducting this experiment especially when
observing and drawing the stages of mitosis. If more time were allocated, the results could be much
more accurate if the procedure were carried out properly.
REFERENCES
1. http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/cellreproduction/mitosis/summary/
2. Reece, Jane B., et al. Campbell Biology. Eleventh edition. Boston: Pearson, 2017.