SCIENCE 9
MITOSIS (THE CELL CYCLE) LAB
Name:
MRS LOGAN
Date:
Goals:
1) Students will identify the different phases
(steps) of mitosis under a microscope
2) Students will practice creating a scientific
drawing to represent their observations
Materials:
 Compound microscope (see image)
 Prepared slide of a root sample
Directions:
1) Get a prepared slide and a microscope. Plug
in the microscope and turn on the light.
2) Examine the slide under the lowest-power
objective lens (4x). Adjust the coarse focus (large knob) to clarify the image as much as possible.
Find the pointed tip of the root sample by gently moving the slide with your fingers, touching only
the sides.
3) Change the objective lens to medium power (10x). Adjust the fine focus (small knob).
4) CAREFULLY change the objective to the highest power (40x). YOU MAY NEED TO ADJUST THE
FOCUS KNOB TO LOWER THE STAGE FIRST SO THE LENS WILL FIT. DO NOT FORCE IT IF YOU
FEEL RESISTANCE. Clarify the image again using the fine adjustment knob.
5) Try to focus on a portion of the root tip that appears to contain all 5 phases of mitosis, if possible.
Create a scientific drawing of what you see, then answer the questions on the back of this page.
How to create a proper scientific drawing:
Interphase

Only draw what you actually see

Draw the field of view (circle)

Label important features/organelles
o Lines are drawn with a ruler
o Lines are straight & horizontal
o All labels are on the right

Drawing must have a descriptive title

Show magnification at the bottom
o Multiply objective lens (4x, 10x,
40x) by the magnification of the
eyepiece (10x)

Include your name and the date on every
drawing
Prophase
Anaphase
Nucleus
Cell Wall
Cytoplasm
Metaphase
Onion Root Tip Mitosis
400x
C Logan, Feb 15th 2016
SCIENCE 9
MITOSIS (THE CELL CYCLE) LAB
MRS LOGAN
Scientific Drawing:
Comprehension Questions:
1. How can you tell that some of the cells were in the process of dividing when the slide was made?
2. Why is it more likely that we’d see dividing cells in a plant’s root rather than another part?
3. Explain why some cells don’t appear to be in the process of dividing.
4. If a parent cell has 10 chromosomes before division, how many chromosomes will each daughter
cell have after mitosis? Why is this important?
5. During the portion of mitosis called anaphase, the chromosomes are pulled apart and end up in
opposite ends of the cell. What might happen if this process did not happen properly?