Chromosome Shuffle
Morgan Marsh and Julie Helgerson
Adapted from a lesson plan by Tamsen K. Meyer and Eric Tosso
Available at: www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/AEF/1996/meyer_chromosome.php
Overview:
This activity supplements classroom learning materials and lectures on the processes of
mitosis. The students act out the process of cell division using PVC chromosomes that
allow the students to visualize the process and makes comprehension easier.
Standards:
South Carolina State Standard B-2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the
structure and function of cells and their organelles
B-2.6: Summarize the characteristics of the cell cycle: interphase (called G1, S,
G2); the phases of mitosis (called prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase);
and plant and animal cytokinesis.
Performance Objectives:
The students should be able to:
- summarize the process of mitosis
- identify the phases of the cell cycle;
- recall the events that occur in each phase of the cell cycle;
- illustrate the phases of the cell cycle with models and words;
- compare the phases of the cell cycle;
Hook:
Where do new cells come from? How do you heal from an injury?
Materials:
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PVC pipe (diameter: 1/2”): 4 lengths of approx. 2-ft. & 4 lengths of approx. 3-ft
PVC pipe (diameter: 1 ½ “): 4 lengths of approx. 22” & 4 lengths of approx. 34”
o This will make 4 chromosomes (8 sister chromatids)
o By having the ability to remove the ends of the chromosomes, students
can simulate crossing over during meiosis
Velcro strips: enough to wrap around the outside smaller PVC pipes 4 times and
to put on the inside of each end of the larger PVC tubes.
Sturdy ribbon to use as spindle fibers / microtubules (8 pieces at 6 to 8-ft long)
“S” hooks attached to one end of the ribbons used to attach the fibers to the
chromosomes
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Rope to use as cell and nuclear membranes.
hand or power saw
tape measure
scissors
paint and/or colored tape
Concept Introduction:
Before this lesson the students will have learned about the parts of a cell and the cell
theory. The teacher will review this with the students and ask how they students this new
cells are created.
The teacher will give the students a brief lecture introducing the stages of the cell cycle.
Stages to be covered are:
Interphase
· Cells spend the majority of their cell cycle in interphase. The purpose of interphase is
for cell growth. By the end of interphase a cell has two full sets of DNA (chromosomes)
and is large enough to begin the division process.
· Interphase is divided into three phases. Each phase is characterized by specific
processesinvolving different structures.
○ During the G1 (gap 1) phase, the cell grows and synthesizes proteins.
○ During the S (synthesis) phase, chromosomes replicate and divide to form identical
sister chromatids held together by a centromere.
○ During the G2 (gap 2) phase, cells continue to grow and produce the proteins necessary
for cell division.
Chromosome composed of two sister chromatids
Mitosis
· The purpose of mitosis is cell division: making two cells out of one. Each cell has to
have its own cytoplasm and DNA. The DNA that replicated in Interphase when two
chromosome strands became four strands (two strands per chromatid). In mitosis the four
strands (two sister chromatids) have to break apart so that each new cell only has one
double-stranded chromosome.
· Mitosis, which follows Interphase, is divided into four phases. Each phase is
characterized by specific processes involving different structures.
○ Prophase is characterized by four events:
¨ Chromosomes condense and are more visible.
¨ The nuclear membrane (envelope) disappears.
¨ By the end of prophase the centrioles (cell organelles that produce spindle fibers) have
separated and taken positions on the opposite poles of the cell.
¨ Spindle fibers form and radiate toward the center of the cell.
○ Metaphase (the shortest phase of mitosis) is characterized by two events:
¨ Chromosomes line up across the middle of the cell.
¨ Spindle fibers connect the centromere of each sister chromatid to the poles of the cell.
○ Anaphase is characterized by three events:
¨ Centromeres that join the sister chromatids split.
¨ Sister chromatids separate becoming individual chromosomes.
¨ Separated chromatids move to opposite poles of the cell.
○ Telophase (the last phase of mitosis) consists of four events:
¨ Chromosomes (each consisting of a single chromatid) uncoil.
¨ A nuclear envelope forms around the chromosomes at each pole of the cell.
¨ Spindle fibers break down and dissolve.
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Cytokinesis
Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm into two individual cells.
· In animal cells the cell membrane forms a cleavage furrow that eventually pinches the
cell into two nearly equal parts, each part containing its own nucleus and cytoplasmic
organelles.
Concept Exploration:
Once the students have a general understanding of what is happening, they can begin the
Chromosome Shuffle!
Instructions:
1. Create a "cell" by moving desks/tables to the periphery of room.
2. Allow students to draw jobs out of a hat, including Cell operator: controls the
action of cell organelles (the instructor may wish to do this if students are
covering this material for the first time), Cell membrane, Nuclear membrane,
spindle fibers / microtubules, chromosomes/sister chromatids
3. Designate 4 "chromosomes" - these students hold chromosomes, pair with
homologs and exchange segments when crossing over.
4. Nuclear membrane - a rope on the floor around chromosomes - may be pulled
away and reformed at appropriate times by one student.
5. Two students are "centrioles" - these students hold 2 nylon cords with latch hooks
attached at one end. Before division these are hooked to eyes attached to the
centromere on each dowel. During division, chromosomes may be moved along
the floor to their new positions in the cell as division progresses. At the end of
telophase, fibers are unhooked and new membranes reform around daughter
nuclei.
Student participants change roles until entire class has participated.
Concept Application/ Evaluation:
After learning the stages of mitosis, the students are required to make a model illustrating
the process. This could be a poster, a cake, PowerPoint or other three-dimensional
illustration. The students then present their project to the teacher and class and are
evaluated on their ability to describe the process of mitosis. Another evaluation tool used
is a peer-teaching lesson on cancer, to illustrate that cancer in uncontrolled growth.
Teacher’s Notes:
I already had the materials to do the chromosome shuffle available to me. The following
instructions are adapted from Eric Tosso.
Initial construction of the chromosomes is a bit time intensive, but the materials are very
durable and should last for years. I have included a figure that should address any
questions about the build. All materials were purchased at either a hardware store or a
hobby shop.
“hooked” Velcro attached to inside of large PVC
1 ½ inch PVC
Kinetochore: microtubule attachment site
½ inch PVC
“fuzzy” Velcro wrapped around outside of small PVC
S
Ribbon with attached “S” hook (microtubule)
Figure 1. Conceptual diagram of one sister chromatid for this activity. The removable
ends allow students to replicate crossing over during meiosis. I painted the chromosomes
different colors so this phenomenon can be more easily observed.
Figure 2. Two students (centrosomes) are at either end of the cell and are ready to
separate sister chromatids from the metaphase plate to ready them for cytokinesis.
Microtubules have already attached to the kinetochores during Prometaphase; students
acting out the role of microtubules will wait until Telophase and then detach from the
chromatids. During cytokinesis, student(s) assigned to play cell membranes will pinch the
membrane together so that daughter cells can separate.