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Onion Root Microscope Lab

Science lab

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tristan.l.bradshaw
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11 views

Onion Root Microscope Lab

Science lab

Uploaded by

tristan.l.bradshaw
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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www.NGSSLifeScience.com.

Topic: Onion Root Microscope Lab

Summary: Students will see plant cells in the different phases of the cell cycle including
interphase, mitosis, and cytokinesis. Microscope skills include focusing and field of view.

Goals & Objectives: Students will be able to visually see the different steps in the plant
cell cycle. Students will be able to draw and label interphase, mitosis and cytokinesis.

NGSS Standards: HS-LS1-4. Use a model to illustrate the role of cellular division
(mitosis) and differentiation in producing and maintaining complex organisms.

Time Length: 40 minutes

Prerequisite Knowledge: Plant cell cycle and how to focus the microscope

Materials:
•! Compound microscope
•! Surge protectors or electrical plugs available for the microscope
•! Prepared Allium root microscope slides that are stained with iodine

Procedures:
1. Group two students as lab partners. Each group will be assigned to a microscope.
Students get the prepared slides and go to their microscope.

2. Students first focus on low power, then medium power. Students need to move the
slide each time before switching power so that they have the correct field of view. Once
students have focused on high power, they need to move the slide around so that they can
see all of the phases of mitosis. It is important that students can focus and move the slide
to change the field of view.

3. Students then draw what they see in the slide. Students should draw the cells in detail.
After all of the cells are drawn, students should draw lines from the labels on the left to
their corresponding cells in the circle. Students then make the connection between the
cell cycle and stem cells in the meristematic tissue in the root tip.

Accommodations: Students who are not able to participate or have an IEP can draw just
a few cells either from the microscope or from their partner’s handout.

Evaluation: The drawing is worth 8 points. The labels with correct lines are worth 1
point each, for a total of 6 points. The questions of the phases are worth 2 points each, for
a total of 6 points. This assignment is worth 20 points.

© NGSS Life Science 2015


Name: _______________________ Row: _______

Date:_____________ Period:______

Onion Root Microscope Lab


Draw a section of the root tip in the circle below on high power. Once focused, move the slide so that
you can see all the phases of mitosis.

Draw arrows from each phase to the corresponding cells.

Interphase

Prophase

Metaphase

Anaphase

Telophase

Cytokinesis

1.! The cells performing cell division in the onion root tip are found the in meristematic
tissue. What type of cells (performing cell division) are found in the meristematic
tissue? ___________________________
2.! All of the cells that are not performing cell division are in what phase of the cell
cycle? _____________
3.! Predict why meristematic tissue is located near the tip of the root? _______________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

© NGSS Life Science 2015


________________________________________________________________________

© NGSS Life Science 2015

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