Name Section

EXERCISE VIII: CELL DIVISION CYCLE – COMPARING MITOSIS AND MEIOSIS

Major events of M-phase & Interphase:

The cell division cycle is the fundamental means by which all eukaryotic organisms
reproduce and by which multicellular organisms grow and replace cells that are lost. It is
during the cell cycle that cells replicate their contents and divide in two. The cell cycle
alternates between nuclear & cytoplasmic divisions (M-phase) and replication of
chromosomes and preparation for cell division (Interphase). M-phase can be further divided
into the following four subphases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Between
one M-phase and the next is interphase. It consists of three subphases G1, S, and G2 (refer to
figure 1 below). Protein synthesis and organellogenesis can take place during all three
subphases of interphase; however, DNA synthesis and chromosome duplication are confined
to the S subphase. Today’s lab exercise will focus on the onion root cell cycle.

Before coming to lab, accurately label the figure below:

MITOSIS
PART I. Mitosis in Onion Root Cells

When roots and branches get longer, they grow only at their tips.
Consequently, there is a high rate of cell division there. New cells
push the tip forward. Older cells are left behind to elongate, then
differentiate (mature) into particular cell types. As cells get older, the
tip gets further and further away from them.
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Procedure:

You must be able to identify cells in interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and
telophase. Examine a prepared slide of onion root tip at 400X. Locate and sketch, in the
space provided below, the cytological features of a cell in interphase, prophase,
metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Figure 2.

Procedure:

1. Using the 40X objective, examine the actively dividing area of the onion root tip and
systematically record the number of cells in each phase or subphase of the cell cycle.
Repeat this count in as many non-overlapping fields as it takes to record and classify
100 cells. Record your results in Table 1.

Table 1.

Cell phase Interphase Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase

Total
%
Interphase M-phase

%
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Testing a Null Hypothesis:

Use a chi square statistical test to analyze the M – phase data. Notice that more cells appear
to be in prophase than in the other phases of mitosis.

Read the following potential null hypotheses. Circle the hypothesis that allows you to
predict exactly what you should get if you determine the mitotic stages of your M – phase
data.
Note that your sample size for your data may differ when compared to your neighbor’s
sample size.

1) Prophase lasts longer than the other three stages of mitosis.

2) Cells spend the same amount of time in all four stages of mitosis.

There are four stages of mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase). If cells are
truly found randomly in any given stage of mitosis, how many cells would you expect in
each stage of mitosis?

Complete a chi-square statistical test. Show your work! Note that your sample size for your
data may differ when compared to your neighbor’s sample size.

How many degrees of freedom are in this example?

 Given your X2 value and degrees of freedom, what is your P value? Express your values as an
inequality (< or > sign).

Again give your P value, but in the form of a sentence.

Based on your P value, do you reject the null hypothesis or fail to reject the null hypothesis?

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Graph your data below based on your instructor’s directions.

Figure 3. Legend-
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PART II. Mitosis Simulation

Using materials available at the side bars (white boards, markers, and pipe cleaners), simulate
selected stages of the cell cycle of a cell where 2n = 4.

1. Interphase

Using your pipe cleaners, simulate DNA replication for each chromosome. Each pipe
cleaner represents one DNA molecule.

In which stage of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?

Has the number of chromosomes changed?

How many (total) DNA molecules are now in your cell?

2. Mitosis

Simulate the events of mitosis. Makes sure to note the activity and structure of the
chromosomes in each stage.

Prophase
Draw a cell on your white board in prophase.

Metaphase
Using the markers provided, now draw a mitotic spindle. Label the following:
centrosomes, non-kinetochore microtubules, kinetochore microtubules, kinetochores,
and the metaphase plate. Place your chromosomes in the appropriate position.

Anaphase
Separate the sister chromatids of each chromosome.

Telophase and Cytokinesis

Draw the two new cells. Correctly distribute your pipe cleaners to represent where the
daughter chromosomes are located.

Make sure to clean your whiteboard after completing your lab work.
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PART III. Application

1. List the number of DNA molecules per chromosome for each sub-phase of the cell cycle
in table 3.

Number of DNA molecules

Subphase per Chromosome
G1
S
G2
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
Table 3.

2. Taxol is a medication that prevents microtubules from shortening. How would this
medication influence mitosis? Why is this drug used to treat cancer?

3. Define cytokinesis. How does the cytokinetic process in plants differ from that in animals?
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MEIOSIS

PART I. Meiosis Chromosome Simulation:

In sexually reproducing organisms, meiosis is a type of cell division that produces specialized
reproductive cells (gametes or spores), each containing one-half of the normal complement of
chromosomes. Meiosis consists of two nuclear divisions, (meiosis I & II) and is the basis of the
eukaryotic sexual process as it gives organisms the ability to:

1. produce offspring that are similar but not identical to each other or their parents
2. maintain a constant chromosome number from generation to generation.

Procedure:

1. Study & arrange your flash cards sequentially to illustrate both mitosis and
meiosis I & II.

2. Simulate the stages of meiosis in a cell where 2n = 2 using the provided materials.

Interphase

Simulate DNA replication using the provided beads. Note that the red beads represent
chromosomes that are maternal while the yellow beads represent chromosomes that are
paternal.

As you complete this activity, pay attention to the activity and structure of the
chromosomes.

Meiosis I

Prophase I
Using the materials at the side bar (white boards, markers, and beads) provided, draw a cell
in prophase I. Using the beads, simulate a crossing over event.
Metaphase I
Draw a spindle apparatus. Label the following structures: centrosomes, kinetochores, non-
kinetochore microtubules, kinetochore microtubules, and the metaphase place. Align the
tetrads properly.

Anaphase I
Separate the homologs.

Telophase I and Cytokinesis

Draw the two resulting cells.

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Interkinesis
Is there additional DNA replication during this phase?

Meiosis II

Prophase II
Draw the two cells in prophase II.

Metaphase II
Using the materials provided, now draw a mitotic spindle. Label the following:
centrosomes, non-kinetochore microtubules, kinetochore microtubules, kinetochores, and
the metaphase plate. Place your chromosomes in the appropriate position.

Anaphase II
Separate the sister chromatids of each chromosome.

Telophase II and Cytokinesis

Draw the four new cells. Correctly distribute your beads to represent where the daughter
chromosomes are located.

Make sure to clean your whiteboards after this activity.

Make sure that you reset the crossing over event on your beads; make sure the next lab
group has a chromosome bag ready to use.
As you complete this activity, complete the following table.

Stage 1n or 2n # chromatids # chromosomes # DNA molecules

At metaphase 1
After anaphase I (in
one daughter cell
After telophase 1
(in one daughter
cell)
At metaphase 2 (in
one daughter cell)
After telophase 2
(in one daughter
cell)

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PART II. Application

Answer the following mitosis/meiosis questions:

A. Using the correct terms (tetrad, sister chromatids, daughter chromosome &
metaphase plate), Contrast the arrangement of chromosomes in the following
comparisons:

prophase I of meiosis and prophase of mitosis

metaphase I of meiosis and metaphase of mitosis

anaphase I of meiosis and anaphase of mitosis

B. What happens to the chromatids of each chromosome during anaphase I of meiosis?

C. List three major differences between meiosis and mitosis.

1.

2.

3.

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