Cell Division Lab

NAME BLOCK /50

Purpose: To explore the phases of mitosis

Introduction:
Mitosis is the division of the cell nucleus in which the chromosomes in the parent cell
divide into two identical sets. In body cells, also called somatic cells, mitosis is the process by
which the number of cells is increased without changing the information contained in the DNA
or the amount of DNA in those cells. In unicellular organisms, such as Amoeba, mitosis is a
means of reproduction. All offspring have exactly the same DNA as the parent and hence
contain the same genetic information. Mitosis is a continuous process that scientists divide into
four phases: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase.

Procedure:
As previously observed in lab, cells are undergoing rapid cell division in the root of an
onion (Allium). Observe the prepared slides of Allium root; locate, observe and sketch the
various stages of mitosis in the spaces provided. A description of each phase is provided to help
locate the appropriate cells. Label ALL structures that you can identify.

As you work keep in mind that mitosis produces two identical nuclei with the same
number of chromosomes as the parent.
PART 1 - Phases of Mitosis
PROPHASE is the first phase of mitosis. Prophase can be subdivided into three steps.
During early prophase, the replicated chromatin material coils to form chromosomes. In
organisms, other than plants two dark spots appear next to the disappearing nucleus. These
small, dark cylindrical bodies, called centrioles move away from each other, going toward
opposite ends of the cell. The middle step of prophase is marked by the initial development of
spindle fibers (microtubules of protein).

SKETCH PROPHASE

METAPHASE is the second phase of mitosis. During metaphase spindle fibers move
the chromosomes to the center of the cell. Metaphase is characterized by the arrangement
of all chromosomes along the equator of the cell.

SKETCH METAPHASE
 ANAPHASE is the third phase of mitosis. First the centromere of each pair of
chromatids divides, the chromatids then move toward opposite poles of the cell.
The movement of chromosomes is rapid and dramatic.

SKETCH ANAPHASE

TELOPHASE is the fourth stage of mitosis beginning with the two identical sets of
chromatids clustered at opposite ends of the cell. During telophase, the centrioles and
spindle fibers disappear. The chromatids unwind and elongate into the threadlike
structures of DNA that are now called chromatin. A nuclear membrane forms again
around each mass of chromatin, and finally a nucleolus appears.

SKETCH TELOPHASE
 CYTOKINESIS takes place immediately after the completion of mitosis. The cell
membrane “pinches” in after TELOPHASE, dividing the cell at its center and forming two
daughter cells. Each newly formed cell houses one of the two nuclei formed during mitosis. In
dividing the cytoplasm, cytokinesis also separates the other structure distributed throughout the
cytoplasm, such as ribosomes, golgi bodies and mitochondria. The two new cells that
have formed during cytokinesis are generally equal in size.
Note: A cell plate divides the two daughter cells and forms a new cell wall
in a plant cell.

DAUGHTER CELLS SKETCH

Conclusion: COMPLETE SENTENCES

1. In what phase does the replication of the chromosomes occur?

2. Why do cells divide equally and in an orderly process during mitosis?

3. Explain why size might trigger cell division.

4. The cell cycle is a continuous process. Why have biologist differentiated five
distinct events in cell division?

5. Does the same cell go through the cell cycle more than once? Explain?

6. What function does a cell plate provide?

7. What does the term binary fission refer to? In what types of organisms does
this process occur? How is this similar or different from cell division?
 Part 2: Online Onion Root Tip
In this activity, you will be presented with cells from the tip of an onion root. You will classify
each cell based on what phase it is in. At the end you will count up the cells found in each phase
and use those numbers to predict how much time a dividing cell spends in each phase. You can
base your calculation on a total cell cycle of 24 hours.

Go to: http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html

Interphase Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase Total

Number
of cells 36

Percent
of cells
during a
24 hour
period
100%

8. Which phase requires the longest time for completion during a 24 hour
period?
9. Which phase requires the next longest time for completion?

10. Which phase requires the shortest time for completion?

Part 3: Mitosis in two normal living organisms
Table 2: Times Needed for Mitosis (in minutes)
Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase Total
Salamander kidney cells 60 50 6 70 186
Pea Root Cells 80 40 4 12 136

Table 2 shows the length of time (in minutes) needed for mitosis to occur in 2 different normal
living organisms. Answer the following question based off the table.

11. Why is the time needed for mitosis different between these two organisms?

12. Draw cell division in an animal cell and cell division in a plant cell. Describe the
difference using vocabulary.
PLANT CYTOKINESIS ANIMAL CYTOKINESIS

Description: Description:
Part 4: Disease chicken stomach cell

Table 1: Cell Cycle in a normal and cancerous chick stomach cells (in
minutes)
Normal Chicken Cancerous Chicken
Stomach Cells in Stomach Cells in Minutes
Minutes
Interphase 540 380
Prophase 60 45
Metaphase 10 10
Anaphase 3 3
Telophase 12 10

Table 1 shows average times required for normal and diseased chicken
stomach cells to complete the cell cycle. Answer the following based off the
table.
11. In a normal chicken cells, which phase requires the longest time for completion?

12. How does the time for interphase compare between the normal chicken cells
compare to the cancerous cells?

13. What is the total time needed for a normal chicken stomach cell to complete
mitosis? (Total up the time in minutes for each phase.)

14. What is the total time needed for a cancerous chicken stomach cell to complete
mitosis?
15. What chemicals regulate the cell cycle? (Look at your notes from class)

16. What happens when cells do not respond to the external signals that normally regular
their growth?

17. How do cell respond to contact with other cells normally?

18. Why can cancer be considered a disease of the cell cycle?