CP Biology Name___KEY_______________________

Date_____________ Due___________

Mitosis - Cell Division - Stations Activity

Station #4 - Microscope Slides

Your group is required to carefully analyze the cell displayed on each of the computer
screens. These pictures are genuine microscopic images captured (not an artistic rendering).
Carefully observe these cells and record your observations.

Guidelines for Observations: What type of cell is this – Plant or Animal? What stage of cell cycle is this cell
currently in? What events or objects led to your decision? Can you recognize
any specific organelles (if so – which ones)? What is occurring in this cell?
Label each cell as accurately as possible.

Slide #1: Plant or Animal?__no cell wall / has centrioles__ Stage of the Cell Cycle?_Early Prophase__

Observations:_________________________________
_____DNA is condensing into chromosomes
______spindle fibers are beginning to form__
______Nucleus is beginning to disappear_____
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________

Slide #2: Plant or Animal?_ no cell wall / has centrioles___ Stage of the Cell Cycle?__Metaphase___

Observations:_________________________________
__Chromosomes are lined up on the equator middle)
__Spindle fibers are attached to chromosomes
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Slide #3: Plant or Animal?__cell wall / no centrioles___ Stage of the Cell Cycle?__Telophase

Observations:_________________________________
____chromosomes are at the poles______
____cell plate has begun to form_______
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________

Extra Credit: Plant or Animal?__no cell wall / has centrioles Stage of Cell Cycle?__Late anaphase____

Observations:_________________________________
____________________________________________
____chromatids are moving towards the poles___
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________

CP Biology Name_____KEY_____________________
 Date_____________ Due___________

Mitosis - Cell Division - Stations Activity

Station #1 - Structures Involved in Mitosis

- Below is a cell undergoing mitosis. Carefully examine this drawing and answer the following
questions with your partners. You may use your textbook as a reference tool.

1. What stage of mitosis is this cell in? Explain your reasoning.

Metaphase – chromosomes are lined up on the equator (middle).

2. Is this cell an animal cell or a plant cell? Explain.

Animal – no cell wall and has centrioles

3. Is there a nucleus present in this cell? If not, what happened to it?

Not at this time – it was broken down during prophase to allow movement of the chromosomes.

- Label the following cell using the terms from the following list:
Chromatids Centromere Centriole Spindle fibers
Cell membrane Equator Pole

4. What is the function of the spindle?

Spindle fibers act like little ropes or “lassoes” that pull the chromosomes to the poles.

5. What is the relationship between chromosomes and chromatids?

Chromatids are the “arms” of the chromosomes.

6. What is the function of the centromere?

Centromeres are proteins that “hold” the sister chromatids together.
 Mitosis - Cell Division - Stations Activity

Station #2 - Mitosis Video

Carefully read ALL of the following directions before starting!!!

Step 1: As a group, watch the following video clip of cells undergoing mitosis on the computer monitor.

Step 2: Why would a cell “want to” or “need to” undergo mitosis. This process requires a great deal of
resources and energy. Why would a cell devote this amount of time and effort to creating a copy of
itself? Any and all ideas are acceptable and welcome! Have all partners share their ideas and thoughts
with the group. Be sure to discuss his/her reasoning for each of the ideas expressed.

Step 3: Write a original journal entry that explores this topic.

Space for Journal entry:

(a thorough 5-7 sentence paragraph will suffice)

There are 4 major reasons why cells devote so much time and energy to cell division.

1st: cells need to add new cells in order to grow and develop.

2nd: cells need to fix or repair cells that have been damaged or lost due to an injury.

3rd: some cells, like bacteria, use mitosis as their form of reproduction – to make a new organism.

4th: SA/V ratio - cells need to be as efficient as possible, with a greater surface area to volume
ratio (this usually means smaller cells)

Mitosis - Cell Division - Stations Activity

Station #3 - The Cell Cycle
Below is a commonly used diagram to show the different stages of the Cell Cycle. Using the list of terms below,
correctly label the stages of the Cell Cycle. Your group may use your textbook as a reference tool.

Metaphase Prophase Cell Division

S phase Anaphase G1 phase
G2 phase Interphase Telophase
Cytokinesis Mitosis
1) G1 phase of interphase

2) S phase of interphase

3) G2 phase of interphase

4) Interphase

5) Cell division

6) Prophase of mitosis

7) Metaphase of mitosis

8) Anaphase of mitosis

9) Telophase of mitosis

10) Cytokinesis

11) Mitosis
Answer the following questions about the Cell Cycle:

1. Describe what is occurring in a cell during the G1 stage of Interphase.

DNA is in the form of chromatin, cell is undergoing life processes (cell resp, protein synthesis).

2. What is the major event that occurs during the S phase of Interphase? Why is this phase vital to produce the final
product of mitosis?

DNA replication – you need two identical copies of your DNA to produce identical, new cells.

3. Describe what is occurring in a cell during the G2 stage of Interphase.

The cell is preparing for cell division (i.e., making new organelles), and the centrioles divide.

4. Interphase is often mistakenly referred to as a “quiet or resting” period of a cell’s life. Explain why this reference
is incorrect.

Most of a cell’s life occurs during interphase – cell resp, protein synthesis, digestion, etc. occur.