AGRI 21 (Principles of Genetics)

Laboratory Exercise No.1

The Physical Basis of Heredity

Name: _Regie C. Labutong_______________________________ Date Submitted:

______________
Laboratory Section: ____BSA 2-B________________ Lab Instructor: Maam. Micah Venice
Balbas________________

CELL DIVISION
1. Mitosis
After having learned the principles of mitosis in the lecture, illustrate the stages of
mitosis in a bond paper. Indicate the organism used (plant or animal cell), the number
of cells, and chromosomes in each stage. Properly label each illustration.

PROPHASE METAPHASE

ANAPHASE TELOPHASE
 In terms of chromosome composition, are the two daughter cells identical? _____
Are the two daughter cells identical to the parental cell? _____
If so, cite three ways by which daughter cells and their parental cell are identical.
1. ___________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________

2. Meiosis

a. Assume crossing over between non-sister chromatids. Draw the stage in which this phenomenon
occurs. Draw and label the chromosomes showing interchanged segments.

Stage: ______________________
Number of chromosomes _______

What is the significance of crossing over?

b. Draw and label the chromosomes at

metaphase I. Explain how it is different
from the metaphase of mitosis.
c. Draw and label the chromosomes at anaphase I. Label the poles of the cell.

Chromosome number per pole

Pole 1_______
Pole 2 ______

How is anaphase I different from anaphase?

______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
_______________.
What is the significance of anaphase I?
______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
_______________.
d. Assume the chromosomes proceed to Meiosis II. Illustrate below what happens during the
stages of Meiosis II.
PROPHASE II METAPHASE II

ANAPHASE II TELOPHASE II

i. Are four daughter cells formed at the end of meiosis identical? Explain your answer.
ii. What process happened at Meiosis I that did not happen at Meiosis II?
 Introduction

The study of heredity and organism variation is known as genetics. The entirety of biological
processes that pass on biochemical, physical, and behavioral features from parents to their children is
known as heredity. The variety among individuals within a species is encompassed by the concept of
heredity. Our genes, which are the functional units of heritable material in living cells, hold the key to the
solution. Cell division is the process by which genetic features that are passed on and produce variations
are carried out in cells. Living cells have the capacity to proliferate and divide into new cells in all species.
Cells undergo regular, repetitive cycles of physical and metabolic processes, which enable the cell to grow
and develop until it reaches a mature state and is prepared for division
Cellular division is but a small portion of the cell cycle, which also includes inter phase, which is
the longest phase and comprises protein synthesis, growth, and DNA replication.

Objectives

a) To understand the fundamental units responsible for heredity, such as genes,DNA, and
chromosomes, and which they act and are transmitted from one generation to the next.
b) To identify the cell division in mitosis.
c) To understand the mechanism of inheritance and how genetic traits are passed from generation to
generation.

Materials
 Microscope slide
 Microscope
 Cover slips
 Blade
 Dropper
 Onion root tip

Methods
 Prepare the materials.
 Cut the root tip of onion.
 Place the cut tip on a clean microscope slide.
 Add a drop of water using a dropper .
 Cover the slide with the cover slip.
 Observe it under a compound microscope in 10x objective. Scan and narrow down to a region
containing dividing cells and switch to 40x for a better view.
Conclusion
Mitosis is an important procedure in the cell and the growth and development of the organism.
Onion root tip is used to demonstrate mitosis in this experiment because of the meristematic cells that
are situated in the tip of the roots that render the most desirable and suitable raw material to study the
different stages of mitosis. Onion is a monocot plant. Monocotyledonous plants possess large
chromosomes that are clearly visible. Hence, their root tips are used. The period of time taken for
mitosis varies as it is dependent on the cell type and type of species. The slide containing the stained
root tip cells is placed on the stage of the compound microscope, changes taking place are noted and
sketched. The different phases of mitosis, such as prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase can
be observed within one field.

Recommendation
The onion root cell mitosis experiment is a simple and commonly used method for observing
cell division in plants. Further research in this area could include studying the effects of different
environmental factors on cell division, such as temperature, light intensity, and nutrient levels.
Additionally, investigating the molecular and genetic mechanisms that regulate cell division in onion
root cells could also provide valuable insights into the process of mitosis. Another possible direction
for research could include studying the effects of chemical treatments on onion root cells, such as
inhibitors of cell division or compounds that promote cell growth. Overall, there are many potential
avenues for further research in the field of onion root cell mitosis, and I recommend consulting with
experts in the field or reviewing recent publications in relevant journals for more information on
current research trends and opportunities.