Mitosis in Onion Root
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Longitudinal section of
an onion root tip x40. The root cap is toward
the bottom. The apical meristem is above consisting of
more or less square cells with rather large nuclei.
The apical
meristem x400. Most of the cells even in this
area of active cell division are at interphase. Those
with visible chromosomes are at some stage of mitosis.
Interphase
x1000. Note the distinct nuclear membranes and nucleoli
in three of these cells. The cell in the upper right
shows telophase.
Prophase
x1000. Note the beginning of string-like chromosomes.
Nucleoli are still present but will disappear later in
prophase.
Metaphase
x1000. Note the two-chromatid chromosomes lined up at the
metaphase plane in the centeral region of the two cells
shown at metaphase. The two cells in the lower right are
at late telophase with cytokinesis complete but with
nuclei containing chromosomes that are still uncoiling.
Metaphase
x1000. Another cell at metaphase.
Early Anaphase
x1000. One chromatid chromosomes are just beginning to
move toward the poles along the visible spindle fibers.
Late Anaphase
x1000.
Telophase
x1000. You can recognize this as telophase because
cytokinesis has started between the two groups of
chromosomes.
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