CELL DIVISION (LAB ACTIVITY)

Authors: RUIZ, SAN PEDRO, SANCHEZ, SARVIDA, SEBASTIAN

12 stem-29 December 4, 2017
Abstract
Mitosis and meiosis are both processes in cell division. Both mitosis and meiosis has almost the
same processes but differs in purpose and functions. Through Microscopy, examining both mitosis
and meiosis was made possible and was applied in this activity. Having (bulb onion) allium cepa and
grasshopper testis samples both was observed under a microscope viewed in both low power objectives
and high power objective lenses in which data was gathered. The result of this activity shows the transition
of the phases of mitosis inand the transition of cells through meiosis for the grasshopper testis
differentiating mitosis and meiosis. This study was conducted in-order to gain knowledge and
understanding to both mitosis and meiosis
I. Introduction
Cells divide for a reason, mainly for growth, repair or reproduction replacing old and damaged
cells (“ASU school of life science,” 2014). In cell division, the cell that is dividing is called the "parent"
cell. The parent cell divides into two "daughter" cells. This is the process known as “Cell cycle”.
Depending on the type of cell, there are two possible ways for a cell to divide and these two processes
are called “mitosis and meiosis”. Before mitosis, the cell undergoes the interphase wherein the cell is
engaged in metabolic activities preparing for mitosis (“Vidyasagar”, 2015.)The cell then transitions to
mitosis wherein the cell undergoes processes which are the phases of mitosis having the prophase,
metaphase, anaphase and telophase. In prophase, the chromatin in the nucleus begins to condense
which becomes visible in light microscopes as chromosomes. After prophase, the nuclear membrane
dissolves as it marks the beginning of “prometaphase”. The alignment of spindle fibers in the middle
of the nucleus then happens in metaphase referring as the metaphase plate to ensure that when
chromosomes separate, each nucleus will be given one copy of each chromosome. In anaphase, the
paired chromosomes separates and moves towards the opposite poles and in the final phase
(telophase) the chromatids then arrives at the opposite poles of the cell and new membranes form
around the daughter nuclei. The chromosomes dispersed are no longer visible under a light
microscope (“The Cell Cycle & Mitosis Tutorial,” n.d.). The cell clones itself through the process of
cytokinesis producing two end cell products identical with each other having the same number of
chromosomes (“Khan Academy”, 2017).

Figure 1. Phases of mitosis (“Vidyasagar”, 2015.)

 Meiosis is a process of cell division which halves the cell chromosome in the end making
haploid gametes which are the sperm or egg cells Meiosis is mainly for the purpose of reproduction.
Meiosis is split into two separate parts, called meiosis I and meiosis II (“Khan Academy”, 2017).
Meiosis I starts with the copying of chromosomes and their condensation into compact forms and
(just like mitosis) wherein the cell goes through prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, and telophase I.
Although, the metaphase I of meiosis is different thus, instead of lining up in single file, the bivalent
chromosomes line up two-by-two and these groups are known as “homologous chromosomes”. In
meiosis II, the difference is that in prophase II, there won’t be any replication of chromosomes and
the end product will be 4 haploid cells after telophase II (“Albert”, 2016).

Figure 2. Meiosis I and II (“Albert”, 2016)

a. Objectives
Better understanding of the process and stages of mitosis and the process and stages
of meiosis seen in grasshopper testis.

b. Hypothesis
Mitosis occurs in allium cepa (onion) will be distinguished. Meiosis and crossing over
occurring in the grasshopper testis for the production of gametes and spores.

II. Materials and methodology

A. Materials
 Bright field or light Microscope
 Test slides

B. Procedure/Methodology
Within a microscope, test samples of cells were placed consequently one after the other.
Provided cell test samples namely Grasshopper’s testis and Bulb onion (allium cepa) were
examined upon the microscope with the use of low power objectives and high power objective
lenses. To have a clearer view of the specimen’s appearance, light was used for illumination.
Also, Fine and coarse adjustment knobs were utilized to have an optimal view for the cell.
During the examination of the specimens, observation was made along with the recording of
the data.
III. Results and Discussion
Figure 1: Allium cepa under microscope through LPO and HPO

HPO LPO

Metaphase

Prophase Prophase
Anaphase

Telophase

Figure 2: Grasshopper testis under microscope through LPO and HPO

HPO LPO

Spermatocytes

Primary

Spermatozoa

Secondary
Spermatids
Spermatozoa
Spermatogonia

Allium cepa (Bulb onions) was being observed by using microscope through HPO and LPO.
Upon observing them, different mitotic stages namely prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and
telophase were present. Unlike animal cells, the plant cells have a more regular shape. This is
because they have a cell wall made up of cellulose which maintains its shape. Meanwhile, the other
specimen observed was grasshopper testis. Spermatocytes are found in the male gonads of sexually
reproducing organisms. Spermatogonia or the immature germ cell is also present in Figure 2.
Genetically a spermatid is same as a spermatozoa, but the two cells are absolutely different in
appearance under microscope as shown in the figure. The two specimen signify mitosis and
meiosis.
 IV. Conclusion
Mitosis and meiosis both involve dividing to make new cells. This makes them both vital
processes for the existence of living organisms for growth, repair or reproduction. The genetic
information of living things are stored in the nucleus. It may also be found in other organelles
such mitochondria and chloroplast. In mitosis, the genetic information of an organism gets equally
distributed. Mitosis is important for sexual reproduction indirectly. It allows the sexually
reproducing organism to grow and develop from a single cell into a sexually mature individual.
This allows organisms to continue to reproduce through the generations. In Meiosis, the cell
divides into two cells that have half the number of chromosomes. It is the process by which
sexually reproducing organisms make their sex cells. One of the benefits of sexual reproduction is
the diversity it produces within a population. That variety is a direct product of meiosis.
V. References

Cell Division - Mitosis and Meiosis | ASU - Ask A Biologist. (2014, February 3).Retrieved from
https://askabiologist.asu.edu/content/cell-division

Khan Academy (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.khanacademy.org

Mitosis and meiosis. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/test-

prep/mcat/cells/cellular-division/a/mitosis-and-meiosis

The Cell Cycle & Mitosis Tutorial. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2017, from
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/tutorials/cell_cycle/cells3.html

Vidyasagar, A.,| (2015, October). What Is Mitosis? Retrieved from

https://www.livescience.com/52512-mitosis.html

Test. (2016, November 23). Meiosis I and Meiosis II: What is their Difference? | Albert.io.

Retrieved from https://www.albert.io/blog/difference-between-meiosis-i-and-meiosis-ii/

https://askabiologist.asu.edu/content/cell-division
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/cells/cellular-division/a/mitosis-and-meiosis
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/tutorials/cell_cycle/cells3.html
https://www.livescience.com/52512-mitosis.html
https://www.albert.io/blog/difference-between-meiosis-i-and-meiosis-ii/
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/cellular-molecular-biology/meiosis/a/phases-of-
meiosis