Eskil Larsen

Period 5
03.03.14
Time for mitosis
The process where one single cell nucleus is divided into two nuclei is called Mitosis. This takes place in
five main phases, which are Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, and Interphase. The last one is
when the cell is divided. In this phase chromosomes or DNA replication happens. Humans can complete
mitosis in 80 minutes but other cells require days. There are some cells mitosis never happens like in
human nerve cells. In this investigation you will determine the time that is required for plant and animal
cells to go through each phase of mitosis.

Lab partners
Angelina Shamray, Summer Froisland, Echo Fleming, and Eskil Larsen

Problem/Question
How much time do plant and animal cells spend in each stage of mitosis?

Variables
Independent: anima
Dependent: amount of time spent in each stage of mitosis (interphase, prophase, metaphase,
anaphase, telophase).

Hypothesis
If the cell is an animal cell, then Telophase will be the quickest phase because it is the last phase.

Materials
Prepared slide of plant mitosis- ONION ROOT TIP CELLS (PLANT)
Prepared slide of animal mitosis- FISH BLASTULA CELLS (ANIMAL)
Compound Microscope
Pencil/Notebook
Computer
Mitosis Notes

Procedures
1.Review the phases of mitosis by looking at your notes and the PowerPoint listed on eLearning.
2.Place the prepared onion root tip slide on the stage of your microscope. Using the low-power objective,
focus on the cells just above the tip of the root.
3.Switch to high power and count the total number of cells in the field of view. BE CAREFUL NOT TO
HIT THE SLIDE WHEN YOU CHANGE OBJECTIVES!!! IT WILL BREAK IF YOU HIT IT!
4.Record this number in the appropriate place in the data table.
5.Without moving anything in the field of view, count the number of cells in each phase of mitosis:
Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase and Cytokinesis.
6.Record this information in the appropriate place in the data table.
7.To determine the percentage of time a cell spends in each phase:
1.Divide the number of cells in that phase by the total number of cells in the field of view
2.Multiply by 100. Record this information in the data table.
8.Repeat steps 2 through 7 using the prepared Fish blastula (animal cells) slide.
9.Record all information in the appropriate places in the data table.
Eskil Larsen
Period 5
03.03.14

Data Table #1
Plant Cell Mitosis
Phase
Number of
Cells in Phase
Number of Cells in Phase
Total Number of Cells
(divide)
Percentage of
Time Spent in
Phase
Interphase

Prophase

Metaphase

Anaphase

Telophase

Cytokinesis



Data Table #2
Animal Cell Mitosis
Phase
Number of
Cells in Phase
Number of Cells in Phase
Total Number of Cells
Percentage of
Time Spent in
Phase
Interphase

Prophase

Metaphase

Anaphase

Telophase

Cytokinesis















Eskil Larsen
Period 5
03.03.14
INTERPHASE



PROPHASE METAPHASE

ANAPHASE



TELOPHASE CYTOKINESIS