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Mitosis Classroom Demonstration
with Photos and Assignment
Classroom Activity from Science Prof Online
eukaryotic cells can be a challenging topic for biology students to understand. The following is a step-by-step photographic guide of a simple classroom activity on mitosis that utilizes inexpensive supplies (pipe cleaners, interlocking beads and string).
Article Summary: Here is a hands-on classroom activity to help students practice their understanding of mitosis. Photo Guide and Word doc assignment included.
Mitosis Classroom Activity + Printable Assignment
Interphase: Photo 1. First string one interlocking bead onto each strand of chromatin. Set one of each type of pipecleaner (6) aside. Those will come into play when DNA replicates; 2. Interphase G1 Phase = six unreplicated, uncondensed strands of chromatin, sting represents the plasma membrane (I don't use additional string to represent the nuclear membrane. It makes this exercise too complicated and messy); 3. Interphase S Phase = six replicated strands of chromatin (sister chromatids). Snap together the two interlocking beads that represent the centromeres, bringing the other six pipe cleaners into play; 4. Close-up of replicated chromatin.
CLICK ON PHOTO STRIP TO ENLARGE PHOTOS
Mitosis: Photo 1. Prophase = chromatin condensing into chromosomes. Twist the pipe cleaners so that they are curley; 2. Metaphase; 3. Anaphase; 4. Early Telophase; 5. Late Telophase
TA-DAH!
Two New Daughter Cells:
The string membrane of parent cell is "pinched" inwards at the center of the cell and chromosomes decondense. Note each daughter cell has the same number of chromosomes as we started with in the parent cell.
Additional Links to Help You Understand Cell Division
- How the Cell Cycle Works, animation & quiz from McGraw-Hill
- Mitosis & Cytokinesis, animation & quiz from McGraw-Hill
- Mitosis animated tutorial & quiz from Sumanas. Inc
- Comparison of Mitosis & Meiosis, animation & quiz from McGraw-Hill
- Genetics: Tour of the Basics, Genetic Science Learning Center, University of Utah
- Cell Division: Mitosis Lecture Main Page, Virtual Cell Biology Classroom
- Cell Division: Meiosis Lecture Main Page, Virtual Cell Biology Classroom
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SPO VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS
Mitosis Classroom Activity
Page last updated: 11/2016
You have FREE access to a large collection of materials used in a college-level introductory biology course. The Virtual Biology Classroom provides a wide range of free educational resources including PowerPoint Lectures, Study Guides, Review Questions & Practice Test Questions.
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Educators can download a document of this assignment, called the Mitosis Activity to use with these instructions.
For more classroom materials on Mitosis, including PPT lecture, practice test and review question, see the Cell Division: Mitosis Lecture Main Page of the Virtual Cell Biology Classroom.
Where to purchase Interlocking Beads
used in this demonstration:
Carolina Biological Supply: Go to their website (http://www.carolina.com/) and search "Pop-It Beads Set".
Supplies Required for Mitosis Activity:
In this exercise, the original cell starts with six chromosomes, so the following supplies are needed.
Photos 1 & 2. Large Zip-loc bag contains 12 pipe cleaners (6 blue, 6 pink, of those 4 are long, 4 are medium & 4 are small), interlocking beads (12) and string (2 strands)
Photos 3 & 4. It helps keep materials organized if interlocking beads and string are each in separate, smaller baggies.
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Need a Mitosis Refresher?
View the Cell Division: Mitosis PPT Show or check out all Mitosis Student Materials
