1. Cell division
Staining a root tip to
observe mitosis

2. Mitosis Plant material - Garlic - Hyacinth Stain
- lactopropionic orcein
- toluidine blue

3. Mitosis
Garlic clove
Polystyrene float

4. Mitosis
Float in beaker of water and leave for two days

6. Preheat 1 M HCl (~ 10 cm3) to 60°C

7. Cut 2 mm from vigorously growing root tips
Add to pre-heated acid
Leave at 60°C for 4 – 5 mins

8. Add large drop of water to slide

9. Use a fine needle or forceps to transfer root tip from hot acid to drop of water on slide
Use paper towel to blot off as much water as possible

10. Use a second slide to squash the root tip
This provides two root preparations

11. Add a drop of stain – either toluidine blue or lactopropionic orcein

12. Toluidine blue – Immediately cover with coverslip
Lactopropionic orcein - leave for 4 – 5 min, cover with coverslip

13. Invert slide & blot firmly on wad of tissue
View preparation under microscope

14. Mitotic index: Number of mitotic cells x 100 %
Total number of cells