Onion Cell Division Observation Lab

Onion Cell Division Observation Lab

By Sabrina G

Observing Mitosis Without a Microscope

🎯 Objective

Students will:

• Observe images of onion cells in various stages of mitosis.

• Identify and label each phase (Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase).

• Estimate the percentage of time cells spend in each stage using observation data.

🔬 The 5 Phases of the Cell Cycle (Onion Root Tip Cells)

Interphase: Cell grows, DNA copies (looks tangled)

Prophase: Chromosomes condense, nucleus disappears

Metaphase: Chromosomes line up in the middle

Anaphase: Chromosomes move apart

Telophase: Two new nuclei form, cell splits

Multiple Choice

Put the following stages of mitosis in order: anaphase, prophase, metaphase, and telophase. 

• prophase, metaphase, telophase, anaphase
• prophase, anaphase, metaphase, telophase
• prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
• prophase, telophase, metaphase, anaphase

Multiple Choice

Identify the Cell Cycle Stage.

• Prophase
• Interphase
• Anaphase
• Telophase

Multiple Choice

Identify the Cell Cycle Stage.

• Anaphase
• Cytokinesis
• Telophase
• Metaphase

Multiple Choice

Identify the Cell Cycle Stage.

• Cytokinesis
• Interphase
• Anaphase
• Metaphase

Multiple Choice

Identify the Cell Cycle Stage.

• Interphase
• Anaphase
• Telophase
• Prophase

​Phase	​What Students Should Notice
​Interphase	​Nucleus visible, DNA looks tangled
​Prophase	​Chromosomes condense, nucleus fades
​Metaphase	​Chromosomes line up in the middle
​Anaphase	​Chromosomes move apart
​Telophase	​Two new nuclei appear

Each Phase

👁️ Look Closely!

Study each of the onion cell photos.
Ask yourself:

• at do you see in the nucleus?

• Are the chromosomes tangled, lined up, or separating?

• Which phase do you think happens the most?