Observing Mitosis

Mitosis is a form of cell division that occur in somatic cell, it is a process in where a cell is replicated for growth, repair or reproduction. In mitosis a cell will start with (n) amount of chromosomes and after division the cell will remain with (n) amount of chromosomes and the new cell will also have (n) amount of chromosomes. The process of mitosis is as follows. PROPHASE : The nuclear membrane disintegrates, chromosomes are able to go into the surrounding cytoplasm and they also supercoil, there are two centrosomes that move to either poles of the cell, they form spindle fibres. METAPHASE: The chromatids align at the equator of the cell in a row. ANAPHASE: the centromeres are split via the spindle fibres and the two sister chromatids are divided to either side of the cell. TELOPHASE: The nuclear membrane s reforms and the chromosomes decondense on either side of the cell. CYTOKINESIS: The cytoplasm then divides forming two daughter cells with identical genetic information. OBJECTIVE I will be carrying out an e!periment to observe the process of mitosis on a plant cell. "arlic #ulb roots have roots that actively divide, meaning they undergo mitosis, the process of mitotic cell division can be seen under a light microscope after specially preparing the root tips in a a hydrochloric solution. It is favourable to use the "arlic #ulb root as the cells are in high quantity, they can be seen performing mitosis and the root can be stained to observe the chromosomes. My $!periment will involve preparing a sample of a "arlic #ulb root by staining and then placing on a light microscope for observation. NULL HYPOTHESIS %o mitosis as cells should be dead after removing them and sub&ecting them to the environment and materials. HYPOTHESIS The prepared sample will show different stages of mitosis as the living product is still alive, the product should be visibly clear and I should be able to record observations. 'ydar (mar

EQUIPMENT ")*+I, *((T-,)+/$+ (* -')*/ 0%(1$ 3M '45*(,'+(*I, ),I5 $T')%(I, )+,('(+ (*,$I% $T')%(I, -T)I% I,$ ,(+5 5I-TI++$5 7)T$* 7)T$* #)T' 2 7)T,' "+)--$METHOD 3. /ut a test tube containing 2cm8 3M hcl into a water bath at 9:c. 2. ,ut 3;2 cm sections of roots tips that are white and firm. 8. /lace the root tips in a watch glass 2cm8 of acetic alcohol for a minimum of 3: minutes. <. *emove the root tips and place with in =cm8 cold water for = minutes, then dry with filter paper after removing to avoid precipitate formation during staining. =. /ut the root tips into the pre heated hydrochloric acid for = minutes. 9. *epeat = step 8 and handle roots gently. >. Transfer a root tip onto a clean microscope slide, and cut <;=mm from the growing tip, ?eep the round tip and discard the rest into a safe place. (Meristem is the dense round region that is wanted). @. #rea? the root cells with a mounted needle as gently as possible and add one drop orcein ethanoic and leave to stain for 2 minutes. A. ,over the sample with a coverslip and blot firmly with several layers of tissue or filter paper, press gently to spread the root tip. 3:. /lace under a (!<:: magnification) and loo? for cells with chromosomes (avoid lateral movement of the coverslipB 33. loo? for actively dividing cells, the 5%) will stain dar? redCblac? with acetic orcein. T$-T T.#$ 2 /I//$TT$MI,*(-,(/$ -+I5$- )%5 ,(6$*-+I/ /)I* (1 1I%$ 1(*,$/M(.%T$5 %$$5+$ 1I+T$* /)/$* (* -(1T TI--.$ /)/$* MI,*(-,(/$ -)1$T4 "(""+$-

SAFETY 7ear eye protection )cetic alcohol is corrosive and flammable. (rcein ethanoic stain is corrosive, causes severe burns, has an irritating vapour and stains. 7ear eye protection and avoid chemical contact. If contact occurs wash hands immediately and thoroughly with water for 3: minutes and mop spillages. "lass can brea? so be careful and gently when handling.

'ydar (mar

RESULTS The picture below shows a stained section through a light microscope. $ach cell is undergoing a stage of mitosis with the purple visible fragments being chromosomes.

3 2 8 < = 9 > @ A

Late Prophase/Early Metaphase

Metaphase Telophase
Early Telophase Early Telophase Metaphase Prophase Anaphase Late Anaphase

%umber of cells -tage Interphase /rophase )naphase Telophase 'ydar (mar <2 3: 2 >

/ercentage D

92.9 3<.A @.A 2.A 3:.<

Time cycle in descending order. /rophase Telophase Metaphase )naphase I have come to this conclusion by loo?ing at the percentage of cells, the higher the quantity the more time spent in the specific cycle.

Metaphase 9

Total

9>

Mitotic Inde! E %umber of cells containing visible chromosomes C Total number of cells in the field of view 2=C9>E Mitotic Inde! :.8>383
EVALUATION AND CONCLUSION The stained sections are visible the chemicals gave vivid colours which are visible without much trouble. I also found out very difficult to ?eep the sections neat as I destroyed them during transfer however I made many more prior to the viewing. ) ma&ority of the factors are reliable, there are many cells in each stage of the cell cycle which give me a broad range of results they are also valid as I have loo?ed at a partners results and have seen a similar image, nevertheless for more security if I repeat the e!periment I will have a higher validity and reliability as I have more results to analyse. I am using pictures from another source as my picture was very difficult to attain. MIDDLE LAMELLA )ll plant cells have a middle lamella, it is a later made of pectin and holds two cells together because of its stic?y composition. They also help form the plasmodesmata which is channel the enables communication and transport between cells. 7hen adding 'ydrochloric acid to a plant cell the middle lammela brea?s down and disintegrates, it is and essential component of the preparation of ma?ing the plant cell ready for viewing. The reason the middle lamella is dissolved is so that the stained sections spread much more and are easier to spread this reduces complications and damage done to the cells furthermore with no middle lamella present it is much easier to view the content of the cells without disruption. DIVISION The root tips are protected by a root cap, the root caps is a hard layer the surround the root tip, with the root caps present the root tips are able to divide, the division allows the roots of the plant to grow and bury deep into the surface of the earth. The long growth and length of the root tips gives the plant a large surface area for an inta?e of water and nutritional molecules .

'ydar (mar