2nd Semester

General Biology 2
La Salle Green Hills

Name __________________________________________________ Date performed ________________

General Biology 2 section __________________________________Date submitted ______ Score: /50

LABORATORY EXERCISE # 2 WORKSHEET

Observing Mitosis

A. MICROSCOPE OBSERVATIONS (Drawing – 2 points, Label – 2 points, answers – 1 point;

TOTAL: 25 points)
1. INTERPHASE
This is the normal life of the cell when it is not dividing. Most cells you see will be in interphase.
Look for cells where the nucleus has a consistent color overall. (Label all visible structures)

LPO/HPO
Magnification used: __________

Describe the appearance of DNA: ________________________________________________

Do you see spindle fibers? _______

2. PROPHASE
Mitosis begins with the chromatin condensing (coiling) into chromosomes. The nuclear
envelope begins to break down. Look for areas in the nucleus that are becoming darker or
look “bunched” up. (Label all visible structures)

LPO/HPO
Magnification used: ________

Describe the location of the chromosomes: _______________________________________

Describe the spindle fibers: _______________________________________________________

3. METAPHASE
Chromosomes are fully condensed, and they line up across the middle of the cell. Look for
thick, dark chromosomes lined up in the middle. You may also see the spindle fibers
connecting the chromosomes to the centrosomes at each pole. (Label all visible structures)

LPO/HPO
Magnification used: ________

Describe the location of the chromosomes: _______________________________________

Describe the spindle fibers: _______________________________________________________

Sources:
(2021, October 9). Virtual microscope. NCBioNetwork.org. Retrieved December 13, 2022, from
https://www.ncbionetwork.org/educational-resources/elearning/interactive-elearning-tools/virtual-microscope
www.edvotek.com
 2nd Semester
General Biology 2
La Salle Green Hills
4. ANAPHASE
Chromosomes separate and are pulled by spindle fibers to either end of the cell. Look for the
dark chromosomes at each end.
(Label all visible structures)

LPO/HPO
Magnification used: ________

Describe the location of the chromosomes: _______________________________________

Describe the spindle fibers: _______________________________________________________

5. TELOPHASE
Chromosomes reach the poles of the cell and begin to relax; nuclear envelopes begin to
form. Look for dark bundles of DNA at each end, you may also be able to see the spindle
fibers in the middle of the cell and the cell may look like it has 2 nuclei. (Label all visible
structures)

LPO/HPO
Magnification used: ________

Describe the location of the chromosomes: _______________________________________

Describe the spindle fibers: _______________________________________________________

B. COUNTING CELLS AND ANALYZING DATA (10 points)

1. Using the same slide, count the cells that are in each stage of mitosis. Record the data on
the table below.
2. Scan another area of the specimen and look for another field of view. Count the cells that
are in each stage of mitosis. Record the data on the table for Field 2. Do one more for field 3.
3. Calculate the percentage of cells in each phase and record in the table. Estimate time
spent in each stage by the following calculation:

Number of cells in stage

Total # cells in all stages
4. Calculate the amount time spent in each phase from the percentage of cells in that stage.
On the average, it takes 1,440 minutes (24 hours) for onion root tip cells to complete the cycle.

% Of cells in stage X 1,440 minutes = _________ minutes of cell cycle spent in stage

Number of cells Percent Time in

Table 1 TOTAL total cells each
Field 1 Field 2 Field 3
counted stage
INTERPHASE
PROPHASE
METAPHASE
ANAPHASE
TELOPHASE
TOTAL CELLS COUNTED

Sources:
(2021, October 9). Virtual microscope. NCBioNetwork.org. Retrieved December 13, 2022, from
https://www.ncbionetwork.org/educational-resources/elearning/interactive-elearning-tools/virtual-microscope
www.edvotek.com