MITOSIS LAB
Name:__________________________________ Date:_______
Observation and photographing of Allium Root Tip Cells Using Digital Microscopes
Block:______
Because of the superior quality of the cells in a prepared slide, we will use prepared allium root tips slides to
capture images of the different stages of the cell cycle. Most of the cells that you observe will be in interphase.
They are distinguishable because they have no visible chromosomes. Cells in the various stages of mitosis are
distinguishable by looking at the position and state of their chromosomes (see Miller, pages 246-247). Your job
is to photograph at least one cell in each phase of the cell cycle: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase,
telophase, and cytokinesis. For your assessment for this lab, simply turn in the Procedure, and Analysis
Questions and labeled pictures of each of the phases of the cell cycle.
Results: Format your pictures to fit the following spaces and provide a description or explanation of the stage.
Interphase
Description
Prophase
Description
Metaphase
Description
Anaphase
Description
Telophase
Description
Cytokinesis
Description
Analysis Questions:
1. In what stage does a cell spend most of its time?
2. Were you able to observe cells in all of the stages of the cell cycle? State some of the possible sources of
error in this experiment.
3. Explain what happens to the DNA of a cell during mitosis. Why is this necessary?
4. Explain the concept of pairing chromosomes. What does it mean when you have a pair of
chromosomes?
5. Describe the changes that occur in the nucleus during mitosis.