PRACTICAL 6

CELL REPRODUCTION 1
MITOSIS IN ROOT TIPS

NAME: UMUL JASRINA BT SIED ABD JALIL

STUDENT ID: 2017635534
GROUP: A4AS1202_4
LECTURER:
INTRODUCTION
Mitosis is a type of cell division where a single cell will divide in some ways to produce two
genetically identical daughter cells. The cells will separate heir identical copies and divide.
Mitosis occurs in somatic cells which opposed to the germ cells, which undergo meiosis.
Division of cells at the end of mitosis yield identical diploid cells. The cell will undergo a number
of event during mitosis before the cell is ready to split. The five steps of mitosis, called
interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase before cytokinesis. The five phases
are differentiated by specific events of preparation for cell division. Cytokinesis refers to the
splitting of the cell into two. Mitosis is the method by which the body produce new cells for
both growth and repair of aging and damaged tissues throughout the body.
OBJECTIVES
1. Observe and identify the stage of mitosis in root tip.
2. Observe identify and draw the stages of mitosis from a given slide.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Can the stages of mitosis be identified from a root tip of an onion?
HYPOTHESIS
Mitosis happens when interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase can be seen
in a cell.
MATERIALS
Light Microscope
Methylated spirit lamp
Slide and coverslip
Watch glass
Blade
Mounted needle
Acetic orcein
1M HCL
Apical of Allium roots
Prepared slide of onion mitosis
PROCEDURE
1. The apical was cut 1cm off the tip of a growing lateral root of an onion.
2. A root tip were placed a watch glass containing acetic orcein stain and HCL in the
approximately proportions of the ten parts of stain to one part of acid.
3. The watch glass was warmed (not boil) for 5 minutes on the spirit lamp. The acid helps
to macerate the issue so that the stain can be easily absorbed.
4. 3mm of the the root tip was cut and the part further from the apex were discarded.
5. Two three drops of acetic orcein were dropped to the root tip on the slide.
6. The root tip was broken by using a needle to spread it out as thinly as possible and
without interfering too much with the arrangement of the cells.
7. Cover slip were placed on and using a filter paper it was covered and squash gently.
8. The slide was warmed again for about 10 seconds on the spirit lamp to intensify the
staining. The slide should be vey warm but not too hot to touch.
9. The stages of mitosis were examined.
10. A labeled diagram is drawn for each stage in the space provided in Table 6.1.
11. The changes that occur in every stage in mitosis were written down in simple words
besides the labeled diagram in Table 6.1.
RESULTS

 Mitosis in root tip – Experimental Slide

Anaphase
Telophase

Metaphase

Interphase

Prophase

Magnification: 40×10
  Mitosis in root tip – Prepared Slides

Magnification: 10×10 Magnification: 40×10

Prophase

Anaphase

Telophase

Interphase
Metaphase

Magnification: 10×10
QUESTIONS
1. In which part of plants can you find this process besides the root tip?
The tip of branches and stems in xylem and phloem.

2. What are the functions of mitosis in the cell cycle of organisms?

In unicellular organisms such as bacteria, mitosis is a type of asexual reproduction, making
identical copies of a single cell. In multicellular organisms, mitosis produce new cells for
both growth and repair of aging and damaged tissues throughout the body.

3. Give one part of human body where you can find this process.
Stomach lining.

DISCUSSION

The purpose of this lab was to observe and identify the stages of mitosis division in the root tip under
the light microscope. This experiment was carried out using onion’s root tip. The onion root tips occurs
the mitosis process. There are 5 stages of mitosis process which are the Interphase, Prophase,
Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase.

The material was prepared and the slide was examined under the light microscope. The cells are not
clear to be seen but it is still able to give a general idea of what is going on. Using the x4 and x10
objective lenses, the stages could not be seen as it appears to show the outer surface of the cells and
not within it. It appeared as tiny little dots. Using the x100 objectve lens, it was observed that the cells
were looking like a brick-like structure. The cell walls and nuclei in the onion root were visible. Some had
small nuclei and some cells had bigger nuclei. The chromatin in the nucleus of a few cells which is
thought to be condensed can also be seen under the light microscope.

According to the results obtained, when observing the onion root tip cells for the stage of interphase,
the chromosomes are not visible and the chromatin is not yet condensed and uncoiled. The cell here
was getting itself ready for mitosis. In prophase, the cells were identified as the chromosomes were
visible and condensed. The centrosome movement, spindle formation and nuclear envelope breakdown
occur but of course it can’t be seen here. While the cell in metaphase stage, the condensed chromatin
lined up at the metaphase plate. When observing the cell in anaphase, the overall cell shape stayed the
same and they still had a circular shape. The chromosome or condensed chromatin break apart from
their duplicates and head towards opposite poles as individual chromosomes. The breakdown of protein
holding the sister chromatids together at the centromere allows the chromatids to separate. And finally
in telophase the cell looks like two circular cells joined together. In this stage which is the final stage the
chromosomes usually reached the opposite poles and a nuclear membrane begins to form around each
nucleus which is then followed by cytokinesis. Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm which usually
well underway by late telophase, so the daughter cell appears shortly after the ends of mitosis.
Cytokinesis is not identified in this cell.
CONCLUSION

The objective of this experiment is achieved where students were asked to observe, identify and draw
the cells in the different phases of mitosis. The results proved the hypothesis because we found the
stages of mitosis in the root tip which are interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.
However, it is believed that there are chances of error while conducting this experiment especially when
observing and drawing the stages of mitosis. If more time were allocated, the results could be much
more accurate if the procedure were carried out properly.

REFERENCES

1. http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/cellreproduction/mitosis/summary/
2. Reece, Jane B., et al. Campbell Biology. Eleventh edition. Boston: Pearson, 2017.