Modeling Mitosis Activity

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Modeling Mitosis

Name: __________________________________________________________ Date: ______________________


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Problem: Demonstrate that cells repeatedly divide to make more cells for growth and repair and that h
the resulting daughter cells are identical to the parent cell. G2
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Objectives: To follow DNA (in the form of chromosomes) through the Cell Cycle and be able to visualize r A Mitosis
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what happens to chromosomes during the phases of Mitosis. e G1
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Background Information: Mitosis is a part of cell division, which results in the production of two daughter cells from a single parent
cell. The daughter cells are identical to one another and to the original parent cell. There are 5 phases of the cell cycle: interphase
which consist of G1, Synthesis phase, and G2; Mitosis consist of 4 phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase; followed
by cytokinesis. As a cell grows, it reaches a certain size where it can no longer function efficiently (due to surface/ volume ratio). At
this point the cell must divide. During interphase (G1, S, G2), the cell prepares for division. During Mitosis, the cell divides its nuclear
material and then during Cytokinesis the cytoplasm divides, creating two daughter cells from one parent cell.
Materials:
Chromosomes/Chromatin – 12 strips of string (2 each color) Chromatin Indicators – 2 small sheets of pink construction
Centromeres – 6 beads paper or two pink circles the diameter of the nucleus (string)
Cell – 1 large blue sheet of construction paper Nuclear Membranes – 2 loops of string
Spindle Fibers – 2 pieces of black thread
Procedure:
Interphase (DNA Replication): the cell doubles in size and number of organelles. DNA replicates.
DNA
1. Place the nuclear membrane (loop of string) on the cell (blue paper). Replication
2. Place your chromatin indicator (pink paper) in the nucleus.
3. Temporarily use 6 chromosomes (one of each colored string) to represent the
chromatin in the nucleus. Notice that some of the chromatin is similar in color
(e.g. dark and light blue).
4. S Phase – Synthesis – this is when DNA replication takes place. To show this, replicate each of your 6 chromatins. Each of
your different color chromosomes will now have an exact copy attached to it at the centromere. Structures needed for the
process of division. (No visible changes in our model).
Mitosis (Nuclear Division): Four phases based on when certain structures appear. Note: For simplicity, the formation and
disappearance of the centrioles and the nucleolus have been omitted.
Prophase
1. Chromatin (DNA fragments) coil tightly to form chromosomes (remove the chromatin indicator – pink paper).
2. The 12 strips of string will now represent chromosomes.
3. Use the beads to represent the centromere.
4. Each half of a duplicated chromosome is called a chromatid. Note that the word “chromosome” is used interchangeably to
mean either the single structure (l) or the duplicate structure (X).
5. The nuclear membrane breaks down. (Remove the nuclear membrane – loop of string)
6. Spindle fibers form (add a spindle fiber (black thread) to each chromatid, one to each side of the chromosome at the
centromere- X)
Metaphase
1. Chromosomes line up along the center of the cell. (Line up the paired chromosomes along the equator- center line)
Anaphase
1. Centromere dissolves, (remove the bead from the chromosomes) chromosomes separate and are moved to opposite sides of
the cell by the spindle fibers. (Separate each chromosome and move each chromatid to the opposite sides of the cell)
Telophase
Two identical sets of chromosomes should be clustered at opposite ends of the cell.
1. Spindle fibers dissolve (Remove the black thread)
2. Two new nuclear membranes form around each set of chromosomes. (Place the string loops around the chromosomes)
3. Chromosomes unwind back to chromatin (insert the pink chromatin indicator strip or circle into each new nucleus).

Cytokinesis (Cell Separation):


Cytoplasm splits – parent cell becomes two daughter cells. Cytokinesis differs slightly between plants and animals
When you and your group understand this lab (Cell Cycle) well enough to explain it to the teacher without notes, call the teacher
over to demonstrate your knowledge.
Copyright 2015- all rights reserved www.cpalms.org
Modeling Mitosis
Vocabulary: Replication, Nuclear Division, Chromatin, DNA, DNA replication, Nucleus, Chromatids, Chromosomes, Synthesis, Diploid,
Centromere, Spindle Fiber, Cell Separation

Data:

Phase of Mitosis Diagram Description


Interphase

Prophase

Metaphase

Anaphase

Telophase

Cytokinesis

Copyright 2015- all rights reserved www.cpalms.org


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Modeling Mitosis

Analysis Questions: (Answer in Complete Sentences for Credit, Unless Otherwise Indicated)

1. Name the three major phases of the Cell Cycle.


2. What is Mitosis? (Two Words)
3. What is Cytokinesis? (Two Words)
4. What happens during the S phase?
5. In reality DNA exists in condensed chromosome form only during which of the three stages of the Cell Cycle?
6. During what two phases of Mitosis can chromosomes be seen in chromatin form?
7. Each half of the duplicated chromosome in Metaphase is called a _____________________.
8. Define Chromatin and Sister Chromatids.
9. What phase of the Cell Cycle comes after Cytokinesis?

Conclusions:

1. Mitosis occurs sequentially. Predict what would happen if a stage was deleted or if the steps were rearranged. Explain your
answer.
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2. Compare prophase with telophase, the final stage in mitosis.

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3. Explain and justify why interphase takes the longest amount of time to occur in a cell cycle.
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4. If cells in the process of dividing are exposed to a drug that interferes with the formation of spindle fibers, at which stage will
mitosis stop functioning?
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5. Identify which phase is represented for each image on the right:
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________ 4
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4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
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Copyright 2015- all rights reserved www.cpalms.org

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