Experiment 1: Observation of Mitosis in a Plant Cell

Experiment 1: Observation of Mitosis in a Plant Cell

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 1: Mitosis Predictions

Predictions:
Supporting Evidence

Table 2: Mitosis Data

Number of Cells in Each Stage	Total Number of Cells	Calculated % of Time Spent in Each Stage
Interphase:		Interphase:
Prophase:	Prophase:
Metaphase:	Metaphase:
Anaphase:	Anaphase:
Telophase:	Telophase:
Cytokinesis:	Cytokinesis:

Table 3: Stage Drawings

Cell Stage:	Drawing:
Interphase:
Prophase:
Metaphase:
Anaphase:
Telophase:
Cytokinesis:

Post-Lab Questions

1. Label the arrows in the slide image below with the appropriate stage of the cell cycle.

2. In what stage were most of the onion root tip cells in? Based on what you know about cell cycle division, does this make sense?

3. Were there any stages of the cell cycle that you did not observe? How can you explain this using evidence from the cell cycle?

4. As a cell grows, what happens to its surface area : volume ratio? (Hint: Think of a balloon being blown up). How does this ratio change with respect to cell division?

5. What is the function of mitosis in a cell that is about to divide?

6. What would happen if mitosis were uncontrolled?

7. How accurate were your time predication for each stage of the cell cycle?

8. Discuss one observation that you found interesting while looking at the onion root tip cells.