Results

A total of three onion root cells treatments were performed to observe the mitotic index. Figure 1
depicts a 400x magnified image in which the onion root cell had no exposure to UV light. Most cells in
mitosis are shown undergoing the interphase stage (Figure 1). Onion root cells that were exposed to UV
light for 20 seconds under a 400x magnification are shown in Figure 2. Most cells are shown undergoing
prophase or metaphase (Figure 2). Figure 3 demonstrates onion root cells exposed to UV light for one
minute also under 400x magnification. Here, most cells are observed undergoing mitosis in the prophase
and metaphase phases (Figure 3). Table 1 data for each trial conducted under each condition. The
number of cells in mitosis, total number of cells, and mitotic index are also shown (Table 1). The control
group had the highest percentage of mitotic index 10.2%, with the 20 second exposure group coming in
at 8.98% mitotic index (Table 1). Lastly, the 1 minute exposure group had the lowest mitotic index of
7.53% (Table 1).

Figure 1. Control group of onion root cells that were not exposed to UV light shown at 400x
magnification. Cells undergoing mitosis are labeled.
Figure 2. Onion root cells exposed to UV light for 20 seconds at 400x magnification. Cells undergoing
mitosis are labeled.
Figure 3. Onion root cells that were exposed to UV light for one minute shown at 400x magnification.
Cells undergoing mitosis are labeled.

Cells in Mitosis Total Cells Mitotic

Condition
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Index (%)

Control 4 6 10 50 59 88 10.2%

20 sec UV
13 10 7 202 68 64 8.98%
Exposure

1 min UV
5 3 10 101 26 112 7.53%
Exposure

Table 1. Mitotic index for each condition of onion root tip cells. Three trials were conducted for each of
the three conditions, totaling to nine trials.
 Discussion

The three different treatments show variability in the mitotic index relating to the presence and length
of UV radiation exposure. The purpose of this experiment allowed for the comparison of the mitotic
index for each treatment of onion root cells in order to determine the effect of UV light on mitosis. The
hypothesis is that the onion root cells exposed to no UV light would have the highest mitotic index and
the longest UV exposure would result in the lowest mitotic index. A higher mitotic index means that a
higher ratio of onion root cells are undergoing mitosis in comparison to cells not undergoing mitosis. A
lower mitotic index means that a lower ratio of onion root cells are undergoing mitosis in comparison to
cells not undergoing mitosis. UV exposure is commonly known to damage DNA in cells, arresting the cell
cycle causing a lower mitotic index. UV exposure has also been found to slow the rate of cell division and
delays mitosis.1 The data shown in Table 1 supports the hypothesis as the control group with no UV
exposure was observed to have the highest percentage of cells undergoing mitosis. The onion root cells
with only 20 seconds of UV exposure showed a decrease in the mitotic index as hypothesized (Table 1).
However, the lowest mitotic index was seen in the onion root cells that were exposed to UV light for the
longest period of time, one whole minute (Table 1). This again supports the hypothesis that the longest
UV exposure would lead to a lower mitotic index. As the cells are exposed to UV light for a longer period
of time, mitosis is delayed. This leads to less cells undergoing mitosis which in turn leads to a lower
mitotic index. In conclusion, UV light exposure reduced the proportion of mitotically active cells also
known as the mitotic index and increased the time taken for cell division.

A possible source of error that may have occurred during this experiment could have been from tapping
the root tip cells too aggressively. This is could cause damage to the cell nuclei and chromosomes in the
onion root cells. One suggestion to further this experiment could include using animal cells instead of
plant cells, such as the whitefish blastula. This would allow us to see the UV exposure effects on a
different type of cell.

References

1. Hopkins, L., Bond, M. and Tobin, A. (2002). Ultraviolet-B radiation reduces the rates of cell
division and elongation in the primary leaf of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Maris
Huntsman). Plant, Cell and Environment, 25(5), pp.617-624.