Lab 7: Cell Division

Mitosis & Meiosis

Basic Biology
BIOL223
 ILOs
1. Better understand the process and stages of
mitosis and meiosis.

2. Prepare your own specimens of onion root in

which you can visualize all the stages of
mitosis.
 Overview
Cell division is the process by which a mother
cell divides to produce two or four daughter
cells. It’s different from cell growth.
Two kinds of cell division:

Mitosis: Division of somatic cells. These are diploid, meaning that they contain two
sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent. Mutations in somatic cells
can affect the individual, but they are not passed on to offspring.

Meiosis :Division of gametes (sperm and egg cells). These are haploid cells.
●Somatic cell: A body cell, a cell whose genes will not be
passed on to future generations.
●Germ cell: a cell that is destined to become a gamete
(egg or sperm), a cell whose genes can be passed on to
future generations
●Diploid: a cell with 2 chromosome sets, all body except
gametes (somatic cells).
●Haploid: a cell with 1 chromosome set, all gametes
(sperm, eggs). 6

●Homologous chromosomes:
are chromosome pairs (one from each parent) that are
similar in length,gene position, and centromere location.
 Overview

•The genetic information of plants, animals and other eukaryotic

organisms resides in several individual DNA molecules, or
chromosomes.

• A gene is a sequence of DNA or RNA which codes for a

molecule that has a function.

• The number of chromosomes is unique for each species.

For example, each human cell possesses 46 chromosomes, while each
cell of an onion possesses 8 chromosomes.
 Overview
• All cells must replicate their DNA when dividing.

• During DNA replication, the two strands of the DNA double helix
separate, and for each original strand a new complementary
strand is produced, yielding two identical DNA molecules.

• DNA replication yields an identical pair of DNA molecules (called

sister chromatids) attached at a region called the centromere.

• DNA replication in eukaryotes is followed by the process called

mitotic nuclear division = mitosis (or karyokinesis) which assures
that each daughter cell receives one copy of each of the
replicated chromosomes.
v
Chromosome
 Cell Cycle
Interphase + Cell Division (Mitosis)

●The longest phase in the cell cycle is

interphase.

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●The 3 stages of interphase are called
G1, S, G.2
 G1 phase: Metabolic changes prepare the cell for division. At a
certain point - the restriction point - the cell is committed to
division and moves into the S phase.

 S phase: DNA synthesis replicates the genetic material. Each

chromosome now consists of two sister chromatids.

 G2 phase: Metabolic changes assemble the cytoplasmic materials

necessary for mitosis and cytokinesis.

 M phase: A nuclear division (mitosis) followed by a cell division

(cytokinesis).
A checkpoint is one of several points in the
eukaryotic cell cycle at which the progression
of a cell to the next stage in the cycle can be
halted until conditions are favorable.
 Mitosis & Chromosomes
•Mitosis is the duplication of chromosomes.

•During the process of mitosis, the chromosomes pass through several

stages known as prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.

•The actual division of the cytoplasm is called cellular division (or

cytokinesis) and occurs during telophase.

•During each of the preceding stages, particular events occur that

contribute to the orderly distribution of the replicated chromosomes
prior to cytokinesis.

•Result: two genetically identical cells

 Mitosis Definition

A form of eukaryotic cell division that produces

two daughter cells with the same genetic
component as the parent cell.
Chromosomes replicated during the S phase are
divided in such a way as to ensure that each
daughter cell receives a copy of every
chromosome.
In actively dividing animal cells, the whole
process takes about one hour
centrosome duplicates itself to form
two daughter centrosomes that
migrate to opposite ends of the cell.
The centrosomes organise the
production of microtubules that form
the spindle fibres that constitute
the mitotic spindle.
 Prophase Prometaphase Metaphase
The DNA and proteins start Some of the fibers attach to the The chromosomes have
to condense. centromere of each pair of come to rest along the
sister chromatids and they center plane of the cell:
The chromosomes supercoil begin to move toward the metaphase plate.
and the fibers of the spindle center of the Cell.
apparatus begin to form
between centrosomes Sometimes considered part of
located at the pole of the the prophase.
cells.
Nuclear membrane
The nuclear membrane also disintegrates.
disintegrates at this time,
freeing the chromosomes Centrioles reach the poles of
into the surrounding the cell
cytoplasm.
Chromosomes continue to
contract. Proteins attach to the
centromeres.

The chromosomes begin

moving.
 Anaphase Telophase Cytokinesis
The centromeres split and The chromosomes at either end This is the division of the
the sister chromatids of the cell begin to cluster cytoplasm leading to two
begin to migrate toward together, which facilitates the separated cells.
the opposite poles of the formation of a new nuclear
cell. membrane.

New patches of membrane fuse

to form new nuclear envelopes
around them.

One way to identify that

telophase has begun is by
looking for the formation of the
cell plate, the new cell wall
forming between the two cells.

The chromosomes decondense,

texture of chromatin loosens.
 Meiosis & Chromosomes
• Meiosis is the form of eukaryotic cell division that produces haploid sex
cells or gametes (which contain a single copy of each chromosome)
from diploid cells (which contain two copies of each chromosome).

• The process takes the form of one DNA replication followed by two
successive nuclear and cellular divisions (Meiosis I and Meiosis II).

• As in mitosis, meiosis is preceded by a process of DNA replication that

converts each chromosome into two sister chromatids.

• Meiosis is necessary in sexually-reproducing organisms because the

fusion of two gametes (fertilization) doubles the number of
chromosomes.
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• Interkinesis is similar to interphase except DNA
synthesis does not occur. The homologous
chromosome pairs reach the poles of the cell; new
nuclear envelopes form around them; and
cytokinesis follows to produce two cells. Remember:
The two daughter cells produced from meiosis I are
haploid (1N).

• Because of crossing-over, some chromosomes are

seen to have recombined segments of the original
parental chromosomes.
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Experiment-Mitosis in Onion Root Tip
Why use onion roots for viewing mitosis?
• The roots are easy to grow in large numbers.
• The cells at the tip of the roots are actively dividing, and
thus many cells will be in stages of mitosis.
• The tips can be prepared in a way that allows them to be
flattened on microscopes slide (“squashed”) so that the
chromosomes of individual cells can be observed.

Regions of Onion Root tips

There are three cellular regions near the tip of an onion root.
1. The root cap contains cells that cover and protect the
underlying growth region as the root pushed through the
soil.
2. The region of cell division (or meristem) is where cells are
actively dividing but not increasing significantly in size.
3. In the region of cell elongation, cell are increasing in size,
but not dividing.
Experiment-Mitosis in Onion Root Tip
Viewing Chromosomes
Chromosomes generally are not visible as distinct entities in
non- dividing cells, since the DNA is uncoiled, but the process
of mitosis is facilitated by supercoiling of the chromosomes
into a highly compacted form. Supercoiled chromosomes can
be visualized in cells, particularly if they are treated with a
DNA-specific stain, such as the Aceto-Carmine (Schneider).

Materials:
• An onion root tip
• 1N HCl
• 2 %Aceto-carmine stain
• Hot plate
• Slide
• Cover slip
• Microscope
Experiment-Mitosis in Onion Root Tip
Procedure:
• Place an onion root tip on a slide Pour 2 drops of HCl
on the root tip
• Add 2-3 drops of aceto-carmine stain to the slide Place the slide
on a hot plate for 1- 2mins
• Blot the excess stain
• Place a cover slip on the root tip and squash the2slide with your
thumb using a firm and even pressure
• Observe under the microscope and record the stages observed.
Experiment-Mitosis in Onion Root Tip
Experiment-Mitosis in Onion Root Tip
 Post-Lab Questions
1. Order the stages of mitosis from shortest (1)
to longest (4). After the longest and shortest
stage, give a brief explanation of why that
stage may have that time period.

A. Prophase
B. Metaphase
C. Anaphase
D. Telophase
 Post-Lab Questions
2. Many of the cells of the root meristem are not undergoing mitosis, rather they
are in a stage called _______________ . Based upon the interpretations made
above, interphase appears to be much (shorter / longer) than mitosis. What
processes occur in interphase cell prior to the onset of mitosis?

3. Once cell division ends, the cells will exist the cell cycle and enter the
_______________ stage. Why is it incorrect to say that these cells are “resting”?

4. If a cell of an organism has 46 chromosomes before meiosis, how many

chromosomes will exist in each nucleus after meiosis?

5. Meiosis differs from mitosis in that meiosis

a. Requires two cycles of division for completion
b. Produces spores in plants but gametes in animals
c. Is only found in animals and not in plants
d. Both a and b
 Post-Lab Questions
6. The daughter nuclei produced by meiosis are:

A. Genetically identical
B. Diploid
C. Haploid
D. Both a and b