Onion Root Tip Lab
Rachel Hildreth
Shanna Rentz
Parts of the Onion Root
• Region of Maturation- where
root hairs develop and cells
differentiate
------------------------------------->
• Region of Elongation- area in
which growth occurs
------------------------------------->
• Apical Meristem- region
containing the highest
percentage of cells undergoing
mitosis
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• Root Cap- functions in
protection
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4 Phases of Mitosis
•
•
•
•
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase/Cytokinesis (sometimes referred to 5th)
Interphase (Pre-Mitosis)
Cell prepares for division by:
• replicating DNA and
organelles
• increasing cell size
Prophase
Cell prepares for nuclear
division by:
• condensing DNA into
movable packages
called chromosomes
Metaphase
Cell prepares chromosomes
for division by:
• aligning chromosomes at
cell equator
• attaching spindle fibers
from each new daughter
cell pole to each
chromosome at the
centromere
Anaphase
Chromosomes divide:
• spindle fibers pull
chromosomes apart
• one-half of each
chromosome (chromatid)
moves to a new daughter
cell
Telophase/Cytokinesis
Cytoplasm divides:
• DNA decondenses and
two nuclei form
• new cell wall (cell plate)
appears between the two
nuclei to form two new
daughter cells
Onion Root Tip Mitosis