divisions of pre-existigfg cells. Continuity of life depends on cet ip, (body cells) divid . Ms (reproductive ants), ‘ 1. Allcells are phoduced by Pes of cell » by increasing tfe number of cells. The germ cel hen they form gamofes (in animals) or spores (in pl with half the number of chromosomes (n) Of the paren is also called rfduction division. Meiosis enables a sexually reproduces chromosom¢ number constant, generation after generation, division—mitogs and meiosis. Somatic cells 4. Each cell division consis of two Lvents, (@) Karyokinesis-divia n offhe nucleus. vision is called interphase, A mitotic cell division cayl be ivided into following phases : — Appearance of chromosomes. — Spindle formation and arrangement of chromosomes at equator, Movement of daughter chromosomes towards poles. ‘ormation of daughter nuclei, most suitable material for the study 6. i of mitofis, while the anthers are most suithble material to study meiosis. ge sized and better visible, therefor, 7. The chromosomes of monocotyledonous plants are la "onion root tips are sed to study mitosis andhnthers of none Tradescantiaare used to stu meiosis. Scanned with CamScanner; 43 ive. To prepare temporary ac etocarmi “rarious stages of mitosis. 'Y acetocarmine stained mount of onion root tip to study Onion bulbs, conical flasks/glass bottles, corked vi conic bottles, corked vial/tube, petridishes, scissors, forceps, needles, alcohol, acetic acd, hydrochloric acid, acetocarmine, distilled water, spirit lam eiaes , coverslips, blotting paper etc. a . OCEDURE a amedium sized bulb of onion and trim off the old roots from its base by means of a sharp le. Place the onion on a conical flask/glass bottle full of water, with its base touching the water. Keep it for a week to grow the roots. Cut 5 mm off the tips of roots and put them into a vial con! and methanol. Keep for one hour. This process is called fixation. (Cutting of root tips should be done in the morning between 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. during the summer and between 9.30 a.m. to ing a mixture of 1 : 3 acetic acid 11.30 a.m, during the winter). Remove 2 or 3 root tips and hydrolyse them by warming to 60°C in 1 N hydrochloric acid for 15 minutes. Onion bulb Roots Fig, 6.1. Method of growing onion root tips. horoughly in water. 5. Remove the root tips and wash them t .droot tip ina drop and place a coverslip 6, Placea drop of acetocarmine on slide, Put one hydrolyse | onthe root. 17. Gently squash the root by tapping the the cells separate and spread out into | Make sure that there are no air bubble: 8. Gently warm the slide over a flame for a few seconds. 5. Observe first under the low power of the microscope to locate the different stages of mitosis under the high power of the microscope: « coverslip with the blunt end of a pencil or needle until avery thin layer. 5 under the coverslip. dividing cells. Examine the Scanned with CamScanner7 Commchensive Laboratory yon | OBSERVATIONS mein Under low power of the microscope, ower of the microscope following s Maturation om t Zone of elongation — high p rectangular cells with pink nucleus ae tages become distinct Figs. 6.2 ana ef seating Metaphase Telophase Anaphase Interphase ifferent stages of mitosis in the onion root tip. 1. Interphase @ Itis a non-dividing phase of the cell cycle between two successive cell division, (i) Chromatin fibres appear in the form of a network within the nucleus, (iii) Nuclear envelope and nucleolus are distinct, 2. Prophase (@ Chromatin material shortens and condenses ‘into thread like structures called chromos! (ii) Each chromosome consists of two chromatids, jointed at a point called centromere. (i) Nuclear membrane and nucleolus start disintegration and disappear at the end of p72 3. Metaphase (@ A bipolar spindle develops in the cell. Chromosomes become thick and two chrom | each chromosome become clear. (ii) Chromosomes become arranged at the equator of the spindle. (ii) Each chromosome get attached to the spindle fibres at its centromere. 4. Anaphase ast (@ The two sister chromatids of each chromosome separate from the centromere a towards the opposite poles. PI (ii) The daughter chromosomes (separated chromatids) appear V, J, Land I shapes, 4°” upon the position of centromere. 5. Telophase od tin (@ ‘The spindle disappears and the daughter chromosomes uncoil to form chromat the two poles, 3 f at OFF Gi) Nuclear membrane and nucleolus reappears and two daughter nuclei appes! poles. (iii) Cytokinesis occurs by cell plate formation between the two daughter nuclei. Scanned with CamScannerSpindle fibres Chromatids Early anaphase Cott watt Denier cts Chromosomes aspera (Chromatids) os Noclear Spindle fibres Telophase stage Fig. 6.3. Various stages of mitosis in onion root tp cells. ECAUTIONS ‘The base of the onion bulb should be in contact of water while growing the roots. Root tips should be fixed in the morning between 8 to 10 A.M. samp The slide should be warmed gently much above the flame of the spirit lamp. ee Scanned with CamScanner 3.