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, mitosis can be divided into four principal stages:
 Prophase: The chromatin, diffuse in interphase, condenses into chromosomes. Each chromosome has duplicated and now
consists of two sister chromatids. At the end of prophase, the nuclear envelope breaks down into vesicles.
 Metaphase: The chromosomes align at the equator and are held in place by microtubules attached to the mitotic spindle and
to part of the centromere.
 Anaphase: The centromeres divide. Sister chromatids separate and move toward the corresponding poles.
 Telophase: Daughter chromosomes arrive at the poles and the microtubules disappear. The condensed chromatin expands
and the nuclear envelope reappears. The cytoplasm divides, the cell membrane pinches inward ultimately producing two
daughter cells (phase: Cytokinesis).
Objective: Students will create a flip book illustrating the changes to a cell during mitosis.
Materials:
 3 - 4 sheets of typing 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 need to cut one additional sheet to make a cover sheet for your flip book.
5. Using the numbered mitosis template sheet as a guide, sketch each picture ENLARGED onto a sheet of your flipbook.
6. Use colored pencils or crayons to color chromosomes, centromeres, etc. BE SURE TO USE THE COLOR KEY ON THIS
SHEET (THE SAME COLOR FOR EACH CELL PART ON EACH PAGE).
7. Write a small number 1-36 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 with your cover sheet on top.
9. Place a cover sheet on top with ---- Mitosis Flip Book by “your name & period”.
10. Staple your booklet down the left side so you can “flip” pages and see mitosis animated.
11. ON THE BACK OF EACH PAGE DECRIBE WHAT HAPPENS IN THAT STEP WITH WORDS!!! USE DETAILED
DESCRIPTIONS FROM YOUR NOTES!
Results:
Fill in the following table by entering the frame number range that corresponds to each of the phases of mitosis. Include a list
of structures that can be seen in cells at each phase. If a structure can only be observed in a plant or animal cell, indicate so.
FRAME NUMBERS
STAGES
STRUCTURES THAT CAN BE SEEN IN CELLS
(RANGE)
INTERPHASE
PROPHASE
METAPHASE
ANAPHASE
TELOPHASE
Cell Membrane – BLACK
Nucleolus – PINK
Aster – BROWN
Nuclear membrane – PURPLE
Cytoplasm – YELLOW
Chromatin – GREY
Chromosomes – RED Centrioles – GREEN
Spindle fibers – ORANGE
Cell plate - BLUE
The following diagram shows the cell cycle. Draw arrows from each mitotic stage to the correct cell sketch. Note:
Interphase has been done for you. Also label G1 and G2 on the cell cycle.
Identify each of these cell structures and their function.
1. Centrosomes –
2. Aster –
3. Equator –
4. Cleavage Furrow5. Cell Plate –
6. Kinetochore fibers –
7. Spindle8. Microtubules –
9. Cytokinesis –
Notes on Drawing:

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Draw the events of the cell cycle on, no less than, 36 pages.

The top page of the flip book should be the last drawing of the cell cycle. (If you begin your
drawings with interphase as the first drawing your cell cycle will run backwards).
Each cell should be the same size and it should be in about the same place on each page.
Each mitotic phase cell should include 4 chromosomes (2n=4).
Each cell drawing should vary only slightly from drawing previous to it. (When the pages are
flipped the cell cycle appears to be in motion).
 Drawing 36 should be page 1 in your book.
 No labels are necessary on structures. (They just get in the way of the motion)
 Instead of labels use the color key above
 Turn this form in with your Flip Book!
CHROMOSOME TEMPLATE SHEET
Cell Cycle Flip Book Grade sheet
(Include this sheet with your submission)
Pages (1pt/page)
Phases (10 pts/phase)
Interphase (5 pts)
:
 Nucleus (1 pt)
 Nucleolus (1 pt)
 Nuclear membrane (1 pt)
 Mitochondria (1 pt)
 Cell membrane (1 pt)
Prophase (5 pts):
 Centrosomes (1 pt)
 Centrioles (1 pt)
 Early spindle (1 pt)
 Chromatids (1 pt)
 Nuclear membrane (1 pt)
Metaphase (5 pts)
 Kinetochore fibers (1 pt)
 Polar fibers (1 pt)
 Centrioles (1 pt)
 Kinetochores (1 pt)
 Chromosomes lined up (1 pt)
Anaphase (5 pts)
 Kinetochore fibers (1 pt)
 Kinetochores (1 pt)
 Polar fibers (1 pt)
 Centrioles (1 pt)
 Separation/migration (1 pt)
Telophase (5 pts)
 Centrioles (1 pt)
 Nuclear membrane (1 pt)
 Chromosomes (1 pt)
 Cleavage furrow (2 pts)
Cytokinesis (5 pts)
 Complete cleavage furrow (2 pts)
 Nuclei formation (2 pts)
 Daughter cells the same size (1 pt)
Neatness (15 pts)
Cells the same size (5 pts)
Drawings colored (5 pts)
Movement evident (5 pts)
TOTAL: _____/100