Protocols for Practical Courses in Biology and Genetics
6th week - Mitosis
Topics for Self-Study: Cell cycle – Mitosis and its phases – Cytokinesis – Structure and function of
eukaryotic chromosomes
Mitosis is the most common type of cell nucleus division. During mitosis – one diploid mother cell
(2n) divides into two diploid daughter cells (2n). The phases of mitosis are as follows: prophase –
prometaphase – metaphase – anaphase and telophase
Proliferation activity of cultivated cells can be described using the mitotic index. This can be
calculated as the number of cells observed during some phase of mitotic division divided by the
number of all cells observed. Mitotic differential describes proportion of different phases of mitosis
in dividing cells.
For solving the tasks you will need OlyVIA software and following login information:
database: BIOLOGIE_GENETIKA
name: biol_student
password: student
Task 1 (Page 31, Task 1a): Choose one of the samples of the cells of onion roots (Mitosa cibule) and
find cells captured during some phase of mitotic division. Choose one cell for each of the main four
mitotic phases and draw a scheme:
Metaphase
Prophase
Anaphase
Telophase
Task 2 (Page 31, Task 1b+c): Observe total number of 100 cells in the chosen sample and calculate
the mitotic index and mitotic differential values:
Cell
nucleus
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
Interphase
Total
Number
100 cells
Differential
100 %
6: Mitosis
Worked out by: …………………………………
Group:………………
Mitotic
index
Checked by:……………………………….
Protocols for Practical Courses in Biology and Genetics
6th week - Mitosis
Following tasks are presentedon the website (Insitute’s website → English Classes → Online
classroom tools → 6th week); direct link http://biol.lf1.cuni.cz/navody/mito_karyo/mitosis-6week.htm
Tasks 1 and 4: Mainly for illustration – but will help you with the solution of the remaining tasks.
Tasks 2 and 3: Choose one of the two photographs of human mitoses and draw a scheme of the
mitosis into your protocol (use basic lines to draw the chromosomes). Find and highlight 4-5 of the
smallest human chromosomes (chromosomes 21, 22 and event. chromosome Y). For both mitoses –
decide whether it represents male (46,XY) or female karyotype (46,XX).
Task 2 – Gender:
Task 3 – Gender: