Name_________________________________________ Date ________________ Period______
Cell Cycle “Flip” Book
150 points
Introduction:
All cells go through what is known as the “cell cycle”. Interphase, the cycle where the cell spends the most time.
The chromatids are duplicated and prepares for cell division. Interphase is broken down into the G1, S, and
G2phases. Mitosis is a process 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. So far in class,
we have discussed the entire cell cycle, analyzed the structure of chromosomes, and gone through the different
phases of cell division.
Purpose:
For students to create a visual aid to help them understand the cell
cycle. This includes all phases of mitosis, cytokinesis, and stages of
interphase.
Materials:





3 - 4 sheets of white paper (sturdy)
Markers, crayons or colored pencils
Stapler (something to bind book)
Scissors
Notes/Images as a guide
Method:
1. To make a good flip-book, each successive picture should vary a tiny bit from the preceding picture. When
you flip the book, the animation should be fairly smooth. Suggest at least 35 or 40 pages in total. My
recommendation to you would be to draw the final product of each phase in the cell cycle, and then complete
the connecting pages, which will allow for smooth transitions.
2. Imagine mitosis as a smooth process. Mitosis doesn’t happen in 4 or 5 static frames, the way it’s depicted in
textbooks. Emphasize the movement of chromosomes, and the replication and divisions of chromosomes. Your
cell should start mitosis with 4 complete chromosomes.
3. Use the textbook diagrams to help draw the cell in mitosis. Remember the changes to chromosomes, the
nuclear membrane, spindle fibers, cell membrane, etc. Having a solid understanding in the phases of mitosis,
cytokinesis, and interphase will help you immensely. Use internet resources for additional information.
Procedure:
1. Starting with a single sheet of white paper (heavier paper); fold the paper into 8 equal sections. These
will make the pages to your flipbook. You can later glue these to index cards if preferred (be creative).
2. Cut the sections apart making sure each section is the same size.
3. Repeat steps 1 & 2 with the other sheets of typing paper.
4. You will need to cut one additional sheet to make a cover sheet for your flip book.
5. Using the table on the next page decide how many frames (pages) you will need for each process.
Remember you will draw each frame a little different from the last to show movement. Think about
what structures you can see during each process!
6. Remember, this is just a template – all flipbooks should be hand drawn and Mitosis should start with 4
chromosomes. If you do not want to use template – that is fine!
7. Use markers, colored pencils, or crayons to color chromosomes, centromeres, etc.
8. BE SURE TO USE THE COLOR KEY ON THIS SHEET (THE SAME COLOR FOR EACH CELL PART
ON EACH PAGE).
9. Write a small number 1-40* or however many pages you have, in the lower right corner of each sheet,
in\ order to put them in the correct order in your flip book.
10. Once all the pages have been drawn, place them in the correct order with your cover sheet on top.
11. Cover sheet should include ---- a creative cover that is colorful and unique. Make sure to include the
title of your book, name, class, and period.
12. Behind each of the pages, I want you to label which phase you are depicting in your drawing.
13. Staple your booklet so you can “flip” pages and see mitosis animated.
Results:
Fill in the following table by entering the frame number range that corresponds to each of the phases of the cell
cycle. Include a list of structures that can be seen in cells at each phase.
STAGES
FRAME NUMBERS
(RANGE)
STRUCTURES THAT CAN BE SEEN IN CELLS
INTERPHASE
PROPHASE
METAPHASE
ANAPHASE
TELOPHASE
CYTOKINESIS
Cell Membrane – BLACK
Nuclear membrane – PURPLE
Cytoplasm – YELLOW
Nucleolus – PINK
Chromatin – GREY
Chromosomes – RED
Centrioles – GREEN
Spindle fibers – ORANGE
Optional Project (150 points): For those who are technologically savvy, you may construct a stop-motion
video to show the phases of the cell cycle. This will be in place of the flipbook. Follow the criteria for the
flipbook as closely as possible. For example, a title/introduction section must be present. Smooth transitions
must be evident from phase to phase of the cell cycle. All visible structures must be color coded. Creativity is
welcomed. Ask Ms. Stephens if you have questions about choosing this optional project.
Grading
Criteria
Cover page
Excellent (13-15 points)
Great (10-12 points)
Good (7-9 points)
Needs Work (4-6 points)
Poor (1-3 point)
Missing (0 points)
Includes color, Title,
name, class period and
date
Depicts consistent
number of chromosomes
throughout and accurately
displays cell division
Is missing one required
element
Is missing two required
elements
Is missing three required
elements
Is missing 4 required
elements
Cover page missing or has
no required elements
Depicts consistent
number of chromosomes,
one or two mistakes in
displaying cell division
Depicts consistent
number of chromosomes,
more than two mistakes in
displaying cell division
Depicts inconsistent
number of chromosomes
and/or has multiple
mistakes in displaying cell
division
Depicts inconsistent
number of chromosomes
and has multiple mistakes
in displaying cell division
No depiction of
chromosomes or cell
division
Binding
Book is bound and all
pages are even and easy
to flip
Book is bound, some
pages are uneven, but
book still flips easily
All pages are numbered
and in the correct order,
numbers are easily visible
and legible
Cell cycle is depicted in
the correct order,
drawings are neat,
accurate, and includes all
required steps
There are 1-2 pages left
un-numbered, numbers
are easily visible and
legible
Cell cycle is depicted in
correct order, drawings
lack some neatness, but
are accurate and include
all required steps
Binding of book is loose,
and/or all pages are
uneven and book is not
easy to flip through
Multiple pages are left unnumbered and/or pages
are out of order, numbers
illegible
Cell cycle is depicted with
a mistake in order and/or
drawings are messy and
inaccurate, one or more
required steps are missing
Binding and pages are
messy and the book is
unable to be flipped
through
Page numbers are
sporadic, illegible and/or
missing on multiple pages
Book is not bound/cannot
be flipped
Page numbers
Book is bound, more than
half of the pages are
uneven, but book can still
be flipped through
There are more than 2
pages left un-numbered
some numbers are
illegible
Cell cycle is depicted in
the correct order,
drawings are messy, and
one required step is
missing
Cell cycle is not depicted
in correct order and/or
drawings are messy,
inaccurate, and missing
multiple required steps
Cell cycle is not depicted
with any accuracy,
neatness, order or
required steps
Color Code
All cell structures are
color-coded accurately
throughout the book
One or two color-coding
mistakes occur in the
book
Three to five color-coding
mistakes occur in the
book
One cell structure is colorcoded inaccurately
throughout the book
Color-coding is missing, or
completely inaccurate
Phase Labels
Correct phase is written
neatly on the back of each
page of the flipbook and is
spelled correctly
When book is flipped
through process appears
animated and smoothly
transitions from one
phase to next
Correct phase is written
neatly on back of each
page of flipbook, one or
two spelling errors occur
When book is flipped
animation is shown,
transitions are relatively
smooth between phases
Correct phase is missing
from one to two pages of
the book and/or multiple
spelling errors occur
When book is flipped
transitions are abrupt/ not
smooth between phases
Correct phase is missing
from several pages of the
book and/or multiple
spelling errors occur
When book is flipped
transitions are choppy
between phases
Multiple cell structures
are color-coded
inaccurately throughout
the book
Phases are labeled
incorrectly and are not
neatly written
When book is flipped
there is no perceivable
animation or transition
between phases
There are no transitions or
the book cannot be
flipped through to
attempt animation
39-40 pages
37-38 pages
35-36 pages
30-34 pages
25-30 pages
Less than 25 pages
Book is neat, page layout
organized, easy to
understand, pictures are
creative, carefully drawn
Book is neat, organized,
and legible, pictures are
carefully drawn and show
thought
Book is neat, organized
and legible, pictures are
drawn well
Book shows some signs of
organization and
neatness, but drawings
are sloppy or rushed
Book is sloppy,
unorganized and/or
illegible or unable to be
understood
No apparent organization
or thought given to
drawings or neatness
Chromosomes
Cell Cycle
Smooth
Transitions
Number of
Pages
Neatness and
Organization
Total
No page numbers
No phase labels exist
Name: ______________________________________________________________
Name: ______________________________________________________________
Date: ___________________________
Period: _______