GENERAL BIOLOGY 2
BIO-LAB WORKSHEET
TRIBE NAME:______________________
DATE:________________
Title: Investigating Mitosis in Onion Root Tips
Objective: To observe the process of mitosis in onion root tip cells and understand
how cells divide and reproduce.
Materials:
 Onion bulbs
 Scalpel/knife
 Microscope
 Glass slides
 Coverslips
 Iodine stain
 Distilled water
Procedure:
1. Cut off the root tips of onion bulbs using a scalpel/knife.
2. Place the root tips in a dish containing distilled water for 10 minutes.
3. Add a drop of iodine stain to the dish and let it sit for another 10 minutes.
4. Remove the root tips and blot them dry with a paper towel/tissue.
5. Cut a small piece of the root tip and place it on a glass slide.
6. Add a drop of distilled water to the root tip and cover it with a coverslip.
7. Place the slide under a microscope and observe the onion root tip cells.
8. Look for cells in different stages of mitosis, such as interphase, prophase,
metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
9. Draw and label the cells observed under the microscope.
10. Discuss the different stages of mitosis and the process of cell division with
your classmates.
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