1. Mitosis in Onion Root Tip Cells

3. Interphase Onion root tip mitosis cell grows in size cell replicates DNA in preparation for mitosis individual chromosomes not clearly discernable nucleolus may be visible as dark spot nucleus is apparent

4. Prophase Onion root tip mitosis chromatin in nucleus begins to condense and becomes visible under light microscope spindle fibers (microtubules) attach to centromeres of chromosomes nuclear envelope starts to break down

5. Prophase Metaphase

6. Onion root tip mitosis spindle fibers align chromosomes along center of cell (metaphase plate)

7. Anaphase Onion root tip mitosis as spindle fibers shorten, paired chromosomes separate and move to opposite sides of cell

8. Telophase Onion root tip mitosis chromosomes are at opposite sides of cell nuclear envelope reforms cytokinesis begins, in which a new cell wall will be created along the metaphase plate and two daughter cell will be formed

10. View of Onion root tip using 400x magnification

11. Overview of phases of mitotic cell cycle interphase prophase metaphase anaphase telophase