Mitosis “Flip” Book
Introduction:
Mitosis is a process of cell division which results in the production of two daughter cells
from a single parent cell. The daughter cells are identical to one another and to the
original parent cell.
In a typical animal cell, the Mitotic Phase of the cell cycle can be broken down into Mitosis
and Cytokinesis:
Mitosis
 Prophase: The chromatin, condenses into chromosomes. Each chromosome has
duplicated and now consists of two sister chromatids. At the end of prophase, the
nuclear envelope breaks down.
 Metaphase: The chromosomes align at the equator and the mitotic spindles attach
to the centromeres.
 Anaphase: The centromeres divide. Sister chromatids separate, spindle fibers
contract, and the chromosomes move toward the corresponding poles.
 Telophase: Daughter chromosomes arrive at the poles and the spindle fibers
disappear. The chromosomes break back down into chromatin and the nuclear
envelope and nucleolus reform.
Cytokinesis: Occurs at the same time as telophase. The cytoplasm divides, the cell
membrane pinches inward ultimately producing two daughter cells.
Objective: Students will create a flip book illustrating the changes to a cell during mitosis.
Materials:
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3 sheets of white paper
Crayons or colored pencils
Stapler
Scissors
Cell template sheet
Procedure:
1. Staring with a single sheet of typing paper, fold the paper into 8 equal sections
2. Cut the sections apart making sure each section is the same size.
3. Repeat steps 1 & 2 with the other 2 sheets of typing paper.
4. You will have 24 “pages” and will need 20 (save the extras for mistakes).
5. Using the numbered mitosis template sheet as a guide, sketch each odd numbered
picture ENLARGED onto a sheet of your flipbook. (Sketch #1, #3, #5, …#35).
6. Use colored pencils or crayons to color chromosomes, centromeres, etc. CREATE A
COLOR KEY FOR THE FOLLOWING CELL PARTS:
CELL PART
COLOR
CELL PART
COLOR
Cell membrane
Chromatin
Nuclear envelope
Chromosomes
Nucleolus
Spindle fibers
Centromere
Centrioles
7. Write a small number 1-18 in the lower right corner of each sheet in order to put
them in the correct order in your flip book.
8. Once all the pages have been drawn, place them in the correct order. Write the
name of each phase on the back of each page. Add a 19th page with your color key.
9. Place a cover sheet on top with the words “Mitosis Flip Book” by “your name &
period”.
10. Staple your booklet down the left side so you can “flip” pages and see mitosis
animated.
Results: Fill in the following table by entering the frame number range that
corresponds to each of the phases of mitosis.
FRAME NUMBERS
STAGES
(RANGE)
INTERPHASE
PROPHASE
METAPHASE
ANAPHASE
TELOPHASE
Submit: 20 page flipbook (Cover page + 18 pages showing mitosis in action + end page with
color key.) Write the name of each phase on the back of the 18 illustrated pages!
Mitosis Template Sheet