CELL DIVISION

Objective:
 To observe and understand the stages of mitosis

MITOSIS

The genetic material of plants, animals and other eukaryotic organisms resides in
individual DNA molecules, or chromosomes. Each human cell possesses 46 chromosomes,
while each cell of an onion possesses 8 chromosomes. All cells must replicate their DNA
when dividing. During DNA replication, the two strands of the DNA double helix separate,
and for each original strand a new complementary strand is produced, yielding two identical
DNA molecules. DNA replication yields an identical pair of DNA molecules (called sister
chromatids) attached at a region called the centromere.
DNA replication in eukaryotes is followed by the process called mitosis. In mitosis, a
cell divides to give two identical daughter cells. Mitosis results in an equal distribution of
genetic material and usually an equal distribution of the cell contents.
During the process of mitosis, the chromosomes pass through several stages known
as prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. The actual division of the cytoplasm is
called cytokinesis and occurs during telophase.

THE STAGES OF MITOSIS

Prophase
During prophase, the chromosomes supercoil and the fibers of the spindle apparatus
begin to form between centrosomes located at the pole of the cells. The nuclear membrane
also disintegrates at this time, freeing the chromosomes into the surrounding cytoplasm.

Figure 1. Onion root meristem cell at prophase

Metaphase
The fibers of the spindle apparatus attach to the centromere of each pair of sister
chromatids. At metaphase the chromosomes have come to rest along the center plane of
the cell.
Figure 2. Onion root meristem cell at metaphase

Anaphase
During anaphase, the centromeres split and the sister chromatids begin to migrate
toward the opposite poles of the cell.

Figure 3. Onion root meristem cell at anaphase

Telophase
During telophase, the chromosomes at either end of the cell begin to cluster
together, which facilitates the formation of a new nuclear membrane. This also is when
cytokinesis occurs, leading to two separate cells.

The formation of the cell plate is observed at plant cells because they have cell wall.
At this point the new cell wall is forming between the two cells.

Figure 4. Onion root meristem cell at telophase

Figure 5. Onion root meristem cell at interphase

Every cell has its own cell cycle period. So it can clearly be seen that even adjacent
cells are at different stages of mitosis. Because of their rapid growth, the cells of the root
tips of plants undergo rapid cell division. Ornamental onion root tips cells (aka Allium from
the Plant Family: Liliaceae (Alliaceae)) because of their accessibility and large cell size make
excellent specimens for the observation of mitosis.

PLEASE REMEMBER!
Care of the Microscope

The microscope should be sited in a permanent position!!!

It should be carried in upright position with both hands!!!
Never touch the lenses of the microscope with your hands!!!
Always start working with scanning power objective (4X)!!!
Use coarse focus knob only with 4X and 10X objectives. Never use it with 40X objectives or
more. Otherwise, you broke the lenses!!!
Use coarse focus knob to find the image. In order to make the image clearer you have to use
fine focus knob!!!
Do not allow liquids or dyes to get on microscope objectives!!!
Whichever objective you study, after you finish your work bring the objective to 4X and
lower the stage to the bottom and then take out the slide from the microscope!!!

The lenses should be cleaned with lens paper!!!

When not used it should be protected by a fitted plastic cover!!!

OIL OBJECTIVE LENSES (100X) SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED WITHOUT IMMERSION OIL!!!

DO NOT USE OIL IMMERSION OBJECTIVE (100X) UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED!!!

Laboratory Instructions:
Observe and visualize the pre-made slides handed to you by your instructor under the light
microscope. Try to find and draw the different stages of mitosis.