SNC2D
Observing Mitosis in Plant & Animal Cells
Purpose: To observe and compare mitosis in onion root cells and animal cells
Procedure:
1. Obtain a microscope and a whitefish slide.
2. Find the cell on low power and bring it into focus. Viewing from the side, turn the
microscope to medium power, and find a cell that appears to be in a stage of mitosis. You
may move to high power if necessary to observe the cell clearly.
3. You will make two drawings of different stages of mitosis. Draw an enlarged diagram to
fit the field of view on this sheet of paper. Make sure you print the name of the stage
you have drawn, and label all necessary structures (listed below)
4. Record the magnification you were viewing on, and do an estimated size calculation in the
space provided. INCLUDE the formula, units and the solution!
5. Return your slide, and repeat the procedure for two onion root tip cells in two different
stages of mitosis.
Analysis: (answer on pg 4)
1. Which cell phase seems to be the most common above the onion root tip?
2. When you compared the plant and animal cells, what are the differences you observe;
a. In the size of the cells
b. In the general shape of the cells
3. What criteria (visible evidence) did you use to determine the mitotic phase of:
a. Whitefish cell # 1
b. Whitefish cell # 2
c. Onion root tip cell #
d. Onion root tip cell # 2
4. What would happen to the daughter cells if the parent cell did not make a copy of its DNA
(chromosomes) before it divided?
5. In comparing the two kinds of cells, list two differences between mitosis in plants and
animals (this does not include one having a cell wall while the other one did not).
To label in each phase:
Interphase
o
o
o
o
Cell wall
Cell membrane
Nucleus
Nucleolus
Anaphase
Prophase
o
o
o
o
Cell wall
Cell membrane
Nucleus (may not be present)
Chromosomes
Telophase
Metaphase
o
o
o
o
Cell wall
Cell membrane
Nucleus (may not be present)
chromosomes
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Cell wall
Cell membrane
Chromosomes
Poles
Spindle fibers (if present)
Cell wall
Cell membrane
Cell plate
Nucleus (2)
Daughter cells
SNC2D
Observing Mitosis in Plant & Animal Cells
Whitefish Embryo Cell # 1
Stage: ______________
Whitefish Embryo Cell # 2
Stage: ______________
SNC2D
Observing Mitosis in Plant & Animal Cells
Onion Root Tip Cell # 1
Stage: ______________
Onion Root Tip Cell # 2
Stage: ______________
Analysis Questions:
Evaluation Checklist:
Thinking & Inquiry
Got it
Getting
there
Missed
the boat
Communication
Correct names of phases
Neat
Labels
Detailed pencil diagrams
Estimated size
Calculations format
Analysis questions
Comments:
Got it
Getting
there
Missed
the boat