Download AP Cell Division Lab Protocol

CELL DIVISION AP LAB PROTOCOL
Part A – The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle
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Fold a piece of computer paper in half, then into thirds creating six sections.
Using landscape orientation, in the top left section record the …
 Title
 Organism Represented
 Magnification Power Used
 Your Name
3. Title each of the remaining sections with the phases of the cell cycle in order, beginning with interphase.
4. Obtain a Whitefish Blastula slide. Scan several fields on low power.
5. Switch to high power and locate a representative cell for each phase of the cell cycle. Draw, color, and label the cell according to the
following guidelines:
 All drawings must be in pencil. No pens or markers, please
 Use colored pencils for coloring and shading, always according to true color.
 Drawings should be large enough to see details. Please use at least ½ of the allotted space.
 All labeling is done to the right of the drawing with a ruler.
6. Label the following structures, if present and visible
 Chromatin
 Chromosomes – we are using this term to describe DNA in coiled, condensed form
 Please indicate in which phases the chromosomes consist of sister chromatids
 Nuclear envelope
 Nucleolus
 Cell membrane
 Cleavage furrow
 Spindle Fibers
 Centrosome
Please note: You may work as a table to locate the different phases of the cell cycle; however, all drawings must be done from the microscope, not
another student’s paper. This paper must be turned in at the end of each class period.
Part B – Timing of the Cell Cycle in Onion Root Tips
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Construct a Data Table in your Lab Notebook.
Obtain an Onion (Allum) Root Tip slide.
Locate the region of the root tip where there is meristem tissue and actively-dividing cells.
Count 100 cells, following an organized, sequential pattern and identify them as representing interphase or mitosis. Have your partner
keep a tally for you.
Now switch places with your partner(s). Make sure each counter examines a different root tip.
Tally your table data. Find the table means/100 cells. Record on the white board.
Calculate the class mean for interphase versus mitosis.
Meristem
Part C – A Comparison of Mitosis and Meiosis
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Use the chromosome set provided to work through the cell cycle and meiosis with your partner. Please use the following information:
 You have materials to create a cell in which 2n = 6.
 Each strand of beads represents a molecule of DNA.
 The two different colors of beads represent maternal versus paternal genetic information.
 Like-chromosomes are represented by like-number of beads.
 The middle magnets represent centromeres.
 Each clear tube represents a centrosome containing one pair of centrioles.
o Consider the orientation of the DNA/spindle fibers when placing the centrosome(s).
o Consider whether the centrosome is located inside or outside of the nuclear envelope.
 The string represents the nuclear envelope.
Mini-practical … without notes, of course! 
 You will be asked to put your cell in three different phases of the cell cycle/meiosis.
 There is no partial credit for each phase.