Mitosis Simulation Lab
Purpose
To gain an understanding of the steps involved in the animal cell cycle, including interphase, mitosis and
cytokinesis. To observe plant cells undergoing mitosis. To be able to identify the different stages of mitosis.
Supplies
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Large piece of paper or poster board
Markers or colored pencils – at least two different colors, one will represent maternal chromosomes,
the other fraternal chromosomes
Textbook or other mitosis reference source
Onion root tip slide
Microscope
Computer
What you will turn in next week:
o Mitosis drawings.
o This digital packet with the questions at the end answered-typed.
o This packet with Part 2 filled in – typed.
o Picture from Part 4 – Online Activity, pasted into this handout
Part 1 Mitosis Drawing- Procedure
1. You will each turn in your own mitosis chart, but you can discuss with your classmates
2. Fold your paper in half lengthwise, then fold it in half widthwise, then fold it in half widthwise
again. You should then have a piece of paper with 8 “boxes” on it.
3. Each box will be used to draw and describe a different stage of cell division.
4. Your 8 boxes should include; interphase – G1, interphase –S, G2, prophase, metaphase, anaphase,
telophase, cytokinesis completed (show 2 cells)
5. Start in the first compartment with interphase-G1. Make a large circle in the compartment to
depict the cell membrane. Leave enough space free in each compartment so you can write what is
happening. Make a smaller circle to depict the nucleus. Draw in the nucleolus. You may also include
some organelles if you want.
6. Use the markers or colored pencils to depict the chromosomes. Your animal has a total diploid
chromosome number of 4. You will need to decide how to arrange the chromosomes as far as size
and color.
7. Work your way through the entire cell cycle (G1, S, G2, P,M,A,T, two daughter cells) using a circle to
depict the cell membrane, another circle to depict the nuclear membrane (where applicable), Show
what the chromosomes are doing at each stage.
8. Be sure to label everything, such as, centromeres, asters, spindle fibers, centrioles, sister
chromatids, chromosomes, chromatin, cell membrane, nuclear membrane, nucleus, nucleolus,
metaphase plate, cleavage furrow, daughter cells, etc.
Example of how to begin:
Be sure to label everything and write description of what is happening. See example below.
Interphase-G1
………………………
………………………
.
Metaphase
S
G2
Prophase
Anaphase
Telophase
Two Daughter
Cells
Part 2 Microscopic Pictures of Mitosis – Procedure
Look at the pictures (below) of microscopic onion root tip and examine the stages of the cell cycle; mitosis
(prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase) and interphase.
Using the page labeled “Part 2 Cells to Cut Out” cut out one cell that you think is in each stage of the cell cycle
and tape it in the appropriate box on the page labeled “Microscopic Root Tip Mitosis Pictures”, then describe
why you think it is in that stage in the box to the right.
Microscopic Root Tip Mitosis Pictures
Interphase Picture
Why Interphase?
Prophase Picture
Why Prophase?
Metaphase Picture
Why Metaphase?
Anaphase Picture
Why Anaphase?
Telophase Picture
Why Telophase?
Part 3 Beads - Procedure
Beads. You will each (or in pairs) show me with beads and chalk that you understand how mitosis works.
Part 4 – Online Activity (can be done at home)
Go to;
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html
Read the introduction then click the “next” button.
You will have 36 cells to classify. When you’re finished paste the web page with your categorized root tip cell pictures into this
document after the table below and record your data in the chart below.
Interphase
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
Total
Number of cells
36
Percent of cells (calculate: number
100%
of cells divided by total cells x 100 )
Paste web pictures here:
Part 5 - Website Tutorial
Be sure to go to the bio website and view the Cell Cycle Tutorial. http://hbiology.yolasite.com/lab-mitosis.php
Questions (please print neatly)
1. How many chromosomes does your cell have at the end of mitosis? ________
2. How many chromosome pairs does this cell have? ___________
3. How many chromosomes does this cell have during the S phase of interphase? __________
4. Is this cell diploid or haploid (at the end of mitosis)? ________________
5. How many chromosomes does a human have? _______ Do they come in pairs, if so, how many pairs?
________
6. What is the difference between mitosis and cytokinesis?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
7. What is the difference between chromatin and chromosomes?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
8. What are chromosomes made of?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
9. The end product of mitosis is/are (be specific):
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
10. What are homologous chromosomes?
____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________
11. Explain what happens to the nuclear membrane during prophase in animal cells.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
12. Explain what happens to nucleoli of animal cells during prophase.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
13. During mitosis in animal cells, what is found at each pole of the spindle?
_______________________________________________________________
14. What happens to the nuclear material in late telophase, in animal cells?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
15. During mitosis in animal cells, where are the chromosomes located during metaphase?
____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________
Part 2 Cells to Cut Out
Cut cells out from this page.
Tape in appropriate boxes on handout.