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Observing Mitosis
and Meiosis on cell
specimens
Cell Biology
Jonas Dion Chew

1330504
DFST/1B/03

1.Summary
The primary objective of this experiment is to study the stages of mitosis in plant
and animal cells and the stages of meiosis . The procedure involves staining an
onion root tip to prepare an onion root tip side which will be examined under a
microscope. After that, a prepared slide of whitefish Blastula will also be
examined under a microscope. Using the microscope, the mitotic stages of both
plant and animal cells will be identified and compared, their comparison will be
recorded. The stages of mitosis and meiosis will also be compared and their
differences will be recorded.
2.Introduction
Background information
There are two types of nuclear division, mitosis and meiosis.Mitosis is a nuclear
division such that the daughter nuclei produced contain the same number of
chromosomes as the parent nucleus. Meiosis is a nuclear division such that the
daughter nuclei produced contain half the number of chromsomes as the parent
nucleus. This experiment is important because it helped to identify the stages of
mitosis which is important for growth and repair of worn-out parts of the
organism. Also, to compare the stages of mitosis in both animal and plant cells.
Mitosis faithfully replicate chromosomes and copies the information stored in the
chromosomes, so the daughter cells produced by mitosis contains all the section
of DNA.The process of mitosis is broken down into stages , the stage in order are:
prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.
Meiosis produces haploid gametes which each contains 23 chromosomes. When
a male gamete fuses with a female gamete, the diploid number of chromosomes
(46) is restored in the zygotes. Therefore, maintaining the normal diploid
number of chromosomes in the species. Meiosis also result in variations in the
gametes produced. Variations occur due to crossing and independent assortment
of chromosomes. Meiosis is made up of two rounds of nuclear division to produce
4 haploid cells Meiosis I and Meiosis II.
3.Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Learn staining procedure to identify mitosis using onion root tip

Compare and contrast plant and animal mitosis
Modelling stages of meiosis
Compare and contrast the stages of mitosis and meiosis

4.Procedures
Preparation of onion root tip slide

1. The onion root tip was obtained and the first 1-3 mm if the root tip was cut
off using a scalpel
2. The root tip was covered with 2-3 drops of 1N HCl. The slide was placed
over a hot plate for 3-5 seconds using a slide holder.
3. Excess acid was blotted off carefully using paper towel , with the root tip
not being touched.
4. The root tip was covered with 3-4 drops of 0.5% Toluidine Blue solution
5. Excess stain was blotted off carefully. A cover slip was added.
6. With the slide placed between a folded paper towel and lab bench ,
pressure was applied carefully and gently .
7. The slide produced was examined on low power on the microscope. The
embryonic cells were identified. Higher power was switched to when
mitotic figures were located.
8. The phases observed were sketched.
Observation of prepared slides: Mitosis in Onion root root tip & Whitefish Blastula
1. The prepared slides provides were review using the microscope. Cells were
located using low power(10x) and the focus was changed using the high
power(40x).
2. Any differences identified between the animal and plant mitosis were
noted and listed.
5.Results and discussion
Interphase
prophase

Anaphase

Metaphase

Telophase

Interphase: the cell will have a distinct nucleus and nucleoli where the thin
threads of chromatin are duplicated
Prophase: The chromatin thicken into distinct chromosomes and the nuclear
envelope break down. The first signs of the spindle begin to appear.
Metaphase: the spindle attaches to the centromere of each chromosome and
moves them to the equator of spindle( midway between the poles)
Anaphase: the chromatids are separated and pulled to opposite poles

Telophase: The nuclear envelope is reformed and the chromosomes gradually

uncoil

2)

During telophase, cleavage furrow is form in the cytoplasm of the animal

cell. While, a cell plate a cell plate is formed in the plant cell between the
two daughter nuclei . The cell plate is formed by the fusion of small fluid
filled vesicles produced by the Golgi apparatus.
3)
Mitosis

Meiosis

Daughter cells contain same number of

chromosomes as the parent cell

Daughter cells contain half the number

of chromosomes as the parent cell

Involves only one nuclear division

Involves two nuclear divisions

Pairing of homologous chromosomes

does not occur.

Homologous chromosomes pair at

prophase I.

Conclusion and recommendation

In conclusion, the findings of doing this experiment is the different stages of
mitosis in plant and animal cells. Mitosis in plant and animal cell are similar with
the same stages, interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase. And
same events happen in each of these stages. The only differences are that
centrioles are absent in a plant cell and a cell plate is form in plant cell instead of
having a furrow in the cytoplasm during telophase. Mitosis and meiosis also have
many differences and the main difference is that mitosis has only one nuclear
division while meiosis has two successive nuclear divisions. There was little
chance for error in this lab. It was mostly observation and sketching. But I
recommend that patience is needed when observing the cells under the

microscope, so that each stages of mitosis will properly identified and

misidentification will be avoided.
6.References
lab 3 sample ap mitosis & meiosis. 2014. lab 3 sample ap mitosis & meiosis.
[ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.biologyjunction.com/lab_3_sample_ap_mitosis__meiosis.htm.
[Accessed 06 January 2014].
Lam P.K and Y. K Lam,2010. Biology Matters. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish
Education
Brooker, R. J. (2009). Genetics Analysis & Principle. Third edition: Mc Graw Hill
international edition.