Virtual Cell Cycle Lab Activity

Title: Cell division

Objective(s): Observe the cell cycle of an onion root tip under a light microscope.

Hypothesis:
I predict that there will be many interphase cells present because this stage takes the longest
amount of time and I believe they will decrease over time.

Variables:
Dependent – Cell cycle (self-alteration caused by time)
Independent – Development of the cells
Controlled – Light microscope

Data:
Record the number of cells you observed in each part of the lab activity.
Number of Cells in Part 1 Number of Cells in Part 2

Interphase 34 49
Prophase 8 13
Metaphase 3 4
Anaphase 2 3
Telophase 2 4
Cytokinesis 1 3

Observations:
Record any observations about the cells you observed. What does the cell look like for each
stage? What is a distinguishing visible feature of each stage of the cell cycle?
Description of cell

Interphase Arranged bowl like

Prophase Arranged as an X
Metaphase Arranged in a row
Anaphase Arranged in a V shape + two rows at the of the cells
Telophase Separation in two separate nuclei
Cytokinesis Full separation, two separate cells
Data Analysis:
Part 1: Calculate the percentage of the cell cycle spent in each stage. Number of cells in given
stage ÷ total number of cells counted × 100 = % of the cell cycle spent in this stage
Interphase – 68%
Prophase – 16%
Metaphase – 6%
Anaphase – 4%
Telophase – 4%
Cytokinesis – 2%

Part 2: Using your percentages in part 1 please create one that represents the time spent in each
stage of the cell cycle.

Time spent in each stage

Interphase Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase Cytokinesis

Conclusion:
Be sure to answer the following reflection questions as a summary in the conclusion of your lab
report:
 Was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not?
Yes, my hypothesis was correct. Because the interphase stage is dedicated to working and
growing and when it’s time to divide the cell goes through mitosis and cytokinesis.
 Based on your data, what can you infer about the length of time spent in each stage of the
cell cycle?
The longest time spent was in the interphase stage. Until the whole cycle finishes the time
gradually decreases.
 What stages were the longest and shortest? Give a brief explanation of why these stages
may have that period.
 The longest was the interphase stage (because of just starting development) and the
shortest one was the cytokinesis stage (because of splitting chromosomes which doesn’t
take that much time).

Questions:
Using what you have learned in the lesson and the virtual lab activity, answer the following
questions in complete sentences.
1. What differences can you see when you compare the nucleus of a dividing cell with that
of a non-dividing cell?
In the non-dividing cell, the chromosomes were not visible. Unlike in the dividing cell
where the chromosomes are visible.
2. If your observation had not been restricted to the tip of the onion root, how would the
results be different?
The results would differ, cause the number of cells would be higher and the number of
interphase cells would drastically increase.

Could you please specify what do you mean by: “Also, please add the resulting data analysis that
is missing.” Thank you in advance for specifying.