A student was investigating mitosis in the roots of a garlic plant - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 7 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 7
A student was investigating mitosis in the roots of a garlic plant.
Describe how the student could prepare a microscope slide to show mitosis in the growing roots o... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A student was investigating mitosis in the roots of a garlic plant - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 7 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Use the root tip / meristem
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The student should start by selecting the root tip or meristematic tissue of the garlic plant, as this is the area where active cell division occurs during mitosis.
Step 2
Soften the root (with alcohol/heat/acid)
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Next, the root tip should be softened using a method such as immersion in alcohol, heat, or acid. This helps to break down the cellular structure, making the cells easier to squash.
Step 3
Crush the root onto the slide/take a thin section
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After softening, the student should crush the root tip onto a microscope slide to create a thin section. This ensures that the individual cells are visible for observation.
Step 4
Stain the root / named stain
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The root should be stained using a suitable dye to highlight the chromosomes. Common stains for mitotic studies include aceto-orcein or methylene blue.
Step 5
Add a cover slip
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Finally, a cover slip should be added carefully over the specimen to flatten the tissue and prevent air bubbles, making it easier to view under the microscope.
Step 6
Describe what is produced when a single cell divides by mitosis
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When a single cell undergoes mitosis, it produces two genetically identical daughter cells. Each daughter cell contains the same number of chromosomes as the original cell, maintaining the genetic continuity essential for growth and repair.
