Name Date

Investigating the Cell Cycle: Onion Root Tip

Cells grow during interphase. They also make copies of their DNA and organelles during this phase.
Cells reproduce to make new cells during mitosis and cytokinesis. As cells enter mitosis, they separate
the DNA copies. During cytokinesis, the cell grows larger and divides in two. Making new cells allows
an organism to grow larger or replace damaged cells. In this investigation, you will examine the cells
of an onion root. You will observe cells in different phases of the cell cycles.

Materials safety goggles

lab coat or apron
prepared slide of onion root
microscope

Procedure
1. Put on safety goggles and a lab coat or apron.
2. Examine the prepared slide of an onion root. Safety Alert: Handle glass microscope slides with
care. Dispose of broken glass properly.
3. Find a cell in interphase. On a sheet of paper, draw what you observe. Label the parts of the cell
that you recognize.
4. Find examples of cells in mitosis. Draw examples of a cell in prophase, metaphase, anaphase,
telophase, and cytokinesis. Label the cell parts you recognize.

Cleanup/Disposal
When you are finished, return the prepared slide to your teacher.

Analysis
1. Which cell parts were you able to identify easily?
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2. Which cell parts were difficult or impossible to identify?
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© Pearson Education 2010 1

Name Date

Investigating the Cell Cycle: Onion Root Tip, continued

Conclusions
1. How did you recognize a cell in interphase?
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2. What were the main characteristics of the cells in mitosis?
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3. How did you identify a cell undergoing cytokinesis?
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Explore Further
In which phase were most of the cells you observed? What can you infer about the life of a cell
from this observation?
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© Pearson Education 2010 2