Internet Activity ONION ROOT TIPS AND THE CELL CYCLE

Actively dividing cells pass through a predictable series of stages called the cell cycle. A
cell cycle starts with interphase, just after a new cell is formed by mitosis. During
interphase, the cell duplicates its DNA and increases its mass and number of cytoplasmic
components. This prepares the cell for the next round of mitosis. The cell cycle ends
when the cell divides. If you look under a microscope at cells from actively dividing
tissue, you will find that their cell cycles are not synchronized. Some cells are in
interphase, while others are in the various stages of mitosis. By noting the number of
cells in each stage, it is possible to calculate the relative lengths of each phase of the cell
cycle.

Activity

In this activity, you will calculate the lengths of the various phases of the cell cycle in an
onion root tip. First you will view some slides and graphics of onion root tips provided by
the Molecular Expressions Photo Gallery. Then you will complete the online activity
provided by the Biology Project at the University of Arizona.

Part 1.

Use your browser to go to Molecular Expressions Photo Gallery: Mitosis

http://www.microscopy.fsu.edu/micro/gallery/mitosis/mitosis.html.

Notice in the micrograph at the top of the page that there are cells in a variety of stages.
View the onion slides in this section, then click on "mitosis" in the sentence "Learn the
steps in mitosis ...” This will take you to a Java tutorial. Keep in mind what you have
learned here as you proceed to the second part of the activity.

Part 2.

Use your browser to go to Online Onion Root Tips at

http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/assignment.html.

Begin by reading the description of the five major cell phases. You will need to keep this
information in mind during the activity.

Make a copy of the data sheet that appears on the second page (provided). You will need
it to answer the questions.

Proceed through the activity, identifying the phase for each cell you are shown. Pay
attention to the hints if you misidentify a cell at first.

1
Internet Activity ONION ROOT TIPS AND THE CELL CYCLE Name________

Interphase Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase Total

number of
cells 36

percent of
cells 100%

When you have completed the activity, answer the following questions:

1. What percent of cells were in interphase?

2. What percent were in mitosis?

3. Which phase of mitosis takes the longest?

4. During which stage is the nucleolus visible as a dark spot?

5. How can you recognize a cell in metaphase?