TableTop Mitosis
SFP Genetics
Background
We have found a new kind of life! It is a small eukaryotic creature with 2 pairs of chromosomes.
It is a diploid organism like humans are. Remember that WE have 23 pairs of chromosomes
with one copy from each parent for a total of 46 chromosomes. Same idea with this organism,
but MUCH simpler.
Chromosome1 = Looks
Chromosome2 = Intelligence
Use this creature to model mitosis on your desktop.
Instructions
1. Work in groups of 2 or 3
2. Clear off the table tops and lay out 9 pieces of paper as shown.
3. From left to right the pages should be titled
a. Interphase - G1 (½ sheet)
b. Interphase - Synthesis
c. Interphase - G2
d. Prophase
e. Metaphase
f. Anaphase
g. Telophase
h. Cytokinesis - Daughter Cell 1 (½ sheet)
i. Cytokinesis - Daughter Cell 2 (½ sheet)
4. Use pipe-cleaners to represent chromosomes that have condensed. Use line-drawings
to represent chromosomes that are in chromatin form.
5. On EACH piece of paper, WRITE a simple summary of what is going on in that step.
6. When you think your group “has it” call me over
Hints…
● How many pieces of pipe-cleaner do you need in G1?
● When do things double?
● When are the sister chromatids in the x format and when are they separate?
● Are any of the pages going to look the same? Which ones?
● What processes are we NOT showing with this model?
● What kinds of things do you need to draw on each paper to make it more accurate?
● If your FIRST page is wrong, all the rest might be wrong so it might be helpful to call me
over EARLY before you get too far down the wrong path...