Name of Activity: DIY Chromosomes

Duration: 1 Hour

Objective:

 Construct a DIY Chromosome model demonstrating the four stages of mitosis

 Identify and Label its parts
 Explain the important processes happening at each stages of mitosis

Materials:

Rubber Bands Tape Stick wire

Glue Automatic Buttons Different Colored Beads

Scissors Mounting Board Glue stick ruler

Procedure:

1. Work in groups of four. Each member of the group will be working with stages of mitosis
(prophase, metaphase, anaphase, or telophase). Construct the different stages of mitosis using a
hypothetical cell with diploid number of chromosomes of four (2n=4).
2. Using rule and a pair of scissors, each member of the group will prepare the following sizes of
wires.
a. Two pieces of wires (color 1), 3 inches each
b. Two pieces of wires (color 2), 3 inches each
c. Two pieces of wires (color 1), 2 inches each
d. Two pieces of wires (color 2) 2 inches each
3. Using the wires, prepare four chromosomes with two sister chromatids each by connecting two
wires of the same color and size. Use the automatic button to attach the two pieces of wires
together. This will serve as your centromere. The two different color of wires represent paternal
and maternal chromosomes.
4. Using a carboard/mounting board, construct the specific stage of mitosis assigned to you. You
can draw additional parts like cell membrane etc. Make sure that the work of each member of
the group should be consistent (in terms of chromosomes number, color, size etc.) as you are
constructing a single cell undergoing different stages of mitosis.
5. Label the parts and be ready to explain in class your model of the different stages of mitosis

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Post Laboratory Activity:

1. Draw model you created and label its parts.

2. Summarize the important processes taking place in the four stages of mitosis.

3. Enumerate five different types of cells found in your body that you think mitosis occurs.

4. Give the importance of mitosis in the organisms

Adopted and Edited from: Ramos, J. D. (2011). Exploring Life Through Science. Biology Laboratory
Manual. Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., Quezon City

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 Rubrics for DIY Chromosomes Model

Excellent (10)  Satisfactory (9-8)  Needs Improvement Unacceptable (3)

(6) 

Creativity Chromosomes Good, creative use Minimal creativity is Lacks creativity,

model uses of materials that are used; project is a copied from
materials not often often used by other poster or other 2-D diagram in book.
seen in most students model
projects.

Appearance Project stands out Appearance is neat, Labels are hard to Appears hastily
from the rest, shows labels are typed or read, project is not built, lack of effort
evidence of neatly written, neatly done, more is evident.
considerable effort. project is organized, effort needed
and shows evidence
of good effort.

Details Parts of the Most Parts of the More detail needed Parts of the
chromosomes are chromosomes are to recognize chromosomes
accurately detailed accurately detailed chromosome parts. generalized “blobs”
and clearly and clearly Some are not of color and
represented and recognizable recognizable and correctly described
correctly described correctly correctly described with many errors.
in detail. summarized. with minor errors.

Explanation The individual The individual The individual The individual

processes of cell processes of cell processes of cell processes of cell
division are division are division are division are not
explained excellently explained clearly but explained well but explained properly
lacking with few mistakes

TOTAL
SCORE

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