Phases of Mitosis - KA - Phases of Mitosis The following diagram ... - Free Printable

You're looking at a student worksheet designed to help you identify the 6 stages of the cell cycle and mitosis in a microscopic image of plant cells (likely onion root tip cells, which are commonly used for this lab).

Since I can’t physically mark the image for you, I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to identify each stage and where to look in the image. You can then use this guide to label the cells yourself.

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## 🔍 KEY: What to Look For in Each Stage

1️⃣ INTERPHASE (Label as “1”)

- Look for: Cells with a clear, round nucleus and no visible chromosomes.
- Chromatin is uncoiled — so the nucleus looks like a dark, solid blob.
- This is the most common phase — most cells you see will be in interphase.
- 📍 *Example locations*: Almost every cell that looks "normal" or inactive — especially in rows 1, 2, 3, and 5.

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2️⃣ PROPHASE (Label as “2”)

- Look for: Chromosomes starting to condense (look like thick threads or X-shapes).
- Nuclear membrane is breaking down.
- Chromosomes are scattered, not lined up.
- 📍 *Example locations*: Look for cells where you can clearly see individual chromosomes forming — e.g., row 2, column 4; row 3, column 5; row 4, column 2.

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3️⃣ METAPHASE (Label as “3”)

- Look for: Chromosomes lined up neatly along the center (equator) of the cell.
- Often looks like a straight line of X-shaped chromosomes.
- Spindle fibers may be faintly visible pulling from opposite ends.
- 📍 *Example locations*: Row 3, column 7; row 4, column 8; row 5, column 3 — these often show perfect alignment.

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4️⃣ ANAPHASE (Label as “4”)

- Look for: Sister chromatids pulling apart toward opposite poles.
- Looks like two sets of chromosomes moving away from each other.
- The cell may appear stretched.
- 📍 *Example locations*: Row 2, column 8; row 3, column 9; row 4, column 4 — look for V-shapes or split X’s moving apart.

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5️⃣ TELOPHASE (Label as “5”)

- Look for: Two new nuclei forming at opposite ends.
- Chromosomes start to decondense (blurry again).
- Cell is almost split in two but still one cell.
- 📍 *Example locations*: Row 1, column 10; row 3, column 10; row 5, column 9 — look for cells with two distinct nuclear areas.

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6️⃣ CYTOKINESIS (Label as “6”)

- Look for: A cell plate forming in the middle (in plant cells) — appears as a faint line dividing the cell into two.
- Two daughter cells are nearly complete.
- In animal cells, it would pinch inward — but here it’s plant tissue, so look for the cell plate.
- 📍 *Example locations*: Row 4, column 9; row 5, column 10 — look for cells with a clear division line across the middle.

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## ✔ TIPS FOR SUCCESS

- Start by scanning the whole image and marking all the interphase cells first — they’re easiest and most common.
- Then go back and find the more dramatic phases (metaphase, anaphase) — they stand out because of their structure.
- Use a pencil first — you can erase if you change your mind.
- Don’t worry if you miss a few — just try to find at least 1–2 examples of each stage.

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## 🧪 BONUS: Why This Matters

This exercise teaches you how to recognize real-life examples of cell division under a microscope. Understanding these stages helps explain:

- How organisms grow
- How wounds heal
- How cancer happens (when mitosis goes wrong)

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## 📝 Final Step (For You to Do)

On your worksheet, find and circle/label at least 1 example of each stage using the numbers:

> 1 = Interphase
> 2 = Prophase
> 3 = Metaphase
> 4 = Anaphase
> 5 = Telophase
> 6 = Cytokinesis

You can print this guide or keep it open while you work on your sheet!

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✔ You’ve got this! Just take your time, compare what you see to the descriptions above, and you’ll master identifying mitosis stages in no time.

Let me know if you want me to describe specific cells in the image — I can give you exact row/column references if you number the grid!