Required Practical 2

Question 1

What are we investigating?

Answer 1

1. We are investigating different stages of mitosis
2. By preparing, staining and squashing plant root tip cells
3. Safety goggles, lab coat + gloves when using stain

Question 2

Why do we cut from root tip?

Answer 2

1. Tip is where growth occurs

2. Therefore, where mitosis occurs

Question 3

Why do we put the root tip in a boiling tube with 1 Mol HCl in a waterbath at 60 degrees celcius?

Answer 3

To incubate

Question 4

Why do we add stain?

Answer 4

Makes chromosomes easier to see under a microscope

Question 5

Why do we place cover slip over cells + press down firmly + squash tissue?

Answer 5

1. Makes the tissue thinner
2. Allows light to pass through
3. Chromosomes seen more clearly by optical microscope
4. Stages of mitosis can be seen via optical microscope

Question 6

What happens if you smear the cover slip sideways?

Answer 6

1. Damage to chromosomes

2. Cannot view different stages of mitosis