ANATOMY LABORATORY

CHAPTER II – Cells and Tissues

Activity 4

Observing Differences and Similarities in Cell Structure

1. Go to station 1 of the demonstration area, and examine the slides of simple squamous epithelium,
sperm, teased smooth muscle cells, and human blood.

2. Observe each slide under the microscope carefully, nothing similarities and differences in the four
kinds of cells. Notice the cell shape and the position of the nucleus in each case. When you look at the
human blood smear, direct your attention to the red blood cells, the pink-stained cells that are most
numerous. Sketch your observations in the circles provided below.

3. How do these four cell types differ in shape?

ANSWER:

Activity 5

Identify the Mitotic Stages

1. Use the three-dimensional models of dividing cells to identify each of the mitotic states.

Answer: The stages of Mitosis are:

1. Prophase – The chromosomes shorten and thicken.
2. Metaphase – Chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell.
3. Anaphase – Chromatids break apart at the centromere and move to opposite poles.
4. Telophase – Two nuclei formed after nuclear envelopes reform around each group of
chromosomes.
2. Go to station 2 of the demonstration area, where slides of whitefish blastulae are set up for your
microscopic study of mitosis. The cells of each blastula (a stage of embryonic development consisting of
a hollow ball of cells) are at approximately the same mitotic stage, so it is necessary to observe more
than one blastula to view all the mitotic stages. A good analogy for a blastula is a soccer ball in which
each of the multisided leather pieces making up the ball’s surface represents an embryonic cell.

Examine the slides carefully, identifying the four mitotic stages and the process of cytokinesis. Compare
your observations with Figure 3.3

Answer: Mitosis takes place in four stages: prophase (sometimes divided into early prophase
and prometaphase), metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. You can learn more about these
stages in the video on mitosis. In cytokinesis, the cytoplasm of the cell is split in two, making two
new cells.

Activity 6

Creating Mitotic Figures

1. Obtain a pocket of pipe cleaners and a piece of chalk from the supply are, and bring them to your
bench.

2. Using the chalk, draw three representations of mitotic spindles on the benh top. Then bend pipe
cleaners as necessary to create the typical appearance and location of chromosomes in (1) prophase, (2)
metaphase, and (3) anaphase by placing them on your spindle drawings.

3. Have your instructor check your figures of mitosis before you clean up your bench top.

Reference:

Marieb, Elaine N., Jackson, Pamela B. Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual:
Pearson Education, Inc.,2018