Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

11. Cell Division

Phases of Mitosis

General Biology

11. Cell Division

Phases of Mitosis

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1: minutes

Problem 9

Textbook Question

The light micrograph shows dividing cells near the tip of an onion root. Identify a cell in each of the following stages: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Describe the major events occurring at each stage.
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Verified step by step guidance

Examine the light micrograph of the onion root tip to identify cells in different stages of mitosis. Look for visual cues such as the arrangement and appearance of chromosomes.

Identify a cell in prophase: During prophase, chromosomes condense and become visible under the microscope. The nuclear envelope begins to break down, and the mitotic spindle starts to form.

Identify a cell in prometaphase: In prometaphase, the nuclear envelope is completely disintegrated, and spindle fibers attach to the kinetochores of chromosomes. Chromosomes begin to move towards the center of the cell.

Identify a cell in metaphase: During metaphase, chromosomes align at the metaphase plate, which is the equatorial plane of the cell. The spindle fibers are fully attached to the kinetochores of each chromosome.

Identify a cell in anaphase and telophase: In anaphase, sister chromatids are pulled apart towards opposite poles of the cell. In telophase, the chromatids reach the poles, the nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes, and the chromosomes begin to de-condense.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Cell Division

Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells. In eukaryotes, this involves mitosis, where the nucleus divides, and cytokinesis, where the cytoplasm divides. Understanding cell division is crucial for identifying the stages of mitosis in the onion root tip micrograph.

Stages of Mitosis

Mitosis consists of several stages: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Each stage is characterized by specific events, such as chromosome condensation in prophase, alignment at the metaphase plate, and separation of sister chromatids during anaphase. Recognizing these stages helps in identifying them in the micrograph.

Chromosome Behavior

During mitosis, chromosomes undergo distinct changes, including condensation, alignment, and separation. In prophase, chromosomes condense and become visible; in metaphase, they align at the cell's equator; and in anaphase, sister chromatids are pulled apart. Observing these behaviors is essential for describing the major events at each stage in the micrograph.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Which of the following does not occur during mitosis?

a. Condensation of the chromosomes

b. Replication of the DNA

c. Separation of sister chromatids

d. Spindle formation

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Textbook Question

What evidence suggests that during anaphase, kinetochore microtubules shorten at the kinetochore?

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Textbook Question

What evidence suggests that during anaphase, kinetochore microtubules shorten at the kinetochore?

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Textbook Question

Which of the following phases of mitosis is essentially the opposite of prophase in terms of changes within the nucleus?

a. Telophase

b. Metaphase

c. Interphase

d. Anaphase

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Textbook Question

In the light micrograph below of dividing cells near the tip of an onion root, identify a cell in interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Describe the major events occurring at each stage.

<IMAGE>

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following are the correct phases of mitosis in order?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following does not occur during mitosis?

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Multiple Choice