Data Sheet:

Onion Root
Tip Lab
Answer the following questions to help you understand the results of your onion root tip lab.

Pre-Lab Questions
1. Provide the correct order for the stages of mitosis.

2. Why are root tips excellent observation points for mitosis?

3. Briefly summarize what you will be doing in this lab. Make sure to include the purpose of this lab in
your summary.

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What Should I Know?

Lab Questions
4. Use the data table below to record the results of your experiment.

Cell Cycle Stage Tallies Number Percentage Time

(min)

Interphase

Prophase

Metaphase

Anaphase

Telophase and
Cytokinesis

Analysis
5. In which stage of the cell cycle do cells spend the majority of their time?

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What Should I Know?

6. Which stage of mitosis lasts the longest? Explain why this stage might take more time than the
others to complete.

7. Which stage of mitosis is the shortest? Explain why this stage might not take as long as the others
to complete.

Conclusion
8. Use your data to support the conclusion that interphase is the largest portion of the cell cycle.

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