Learning about Mitosis: How do cells do that?

Throughout the first and second parts of this unit, we have learned about three different tools that geneticists use in order to predict the probabilities of heredity and to diagnose a genetic disorder. Now, we are going to back up a bit to see exactly how cells replicate their DNA and how cells undergo division.  The section we will use is in Chapter 2: Cell Processes and Energy, but begin with section 3: Cell Division.  I think you will find this section to be interesting actually! 

Below you will find a link to an Online Onion Root Tip Activity which explains the main stages of cell division.  You will follow the instructions given by the online virtual lab, as well as the lab papers provided to you in class in order to figure out what stage of mitosis lasts the longest and which are the shorter stages. 

LAB:
GUIDING QUESTION: How long do the stages of the cell cycle take?
Follow this link to the website: to find out. This is the same activity that you have in your textbook on page 63 (Multiplying by Dividing) 
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html

THEN, visit this website from Rutgers University to have a look at where the cells are taken from. This will be your initial stage for inquiry.

http://bio.rutgers.edu/~gb101/lab2_mitosis/index2.html

Introduction: Find out the difference between Cytokinesis and Mitosis.  How do they go together in order to complete the cell division process? 

Part 1: Can you find dividing cells in the onion root tip?

             What differences can you see when you compare the nucleus of a dividing cell with that of a  
                       non-dividing cell?

Part 2: View a video of mitosis in an animal cell.


Part 3: Identify at least one cell in each of the stages of division summarized in the review.

             Place the cursor over a dividing cell and click once. Identify the stage of division.

             When you have identified at least one cell in each stage, proceed to the next section.


Part 4: See what differences you can detect between the division of an animal cell and a plant cell. 

AFTER COMPLETING THESE TWO VIRTUAL LAB ACTIVITIES you will then hand in your lab papers for a grade on analysis of the data AND write a blog reflection on each activity to demonstrate your understandings of Mitosis and Cell Division.  If these did not help you, you are welcome to have a look at other tutorials, videos, or interactive websites, such as:  http://www.cellsalive.com/mitosis.htm.

Find out what the difference is between mitosis and meiosis. Include this in your blog post by including links or videos that you used or images in discovering what the main differences are. 

VIDEO EXAMPLE:

Pages in your textbook you may use are: 55-60 and pages 94-96 (Remember: You may use the Sci-Links as well).