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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
Describe how the student could prepare a microscope slide to show mitosis in the growing roots of a garlic plant.
Answer
To prepare a microscope slide to observe mitosis in garlic roots, the student can follow these steps:
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Use the root tip: Start by selecting the root tip of the garlic plant, where cell division is most active.
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Soften the root: Soften the root tip using alcohol or heat; this will help make the cells easier to squash for viewing.
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Crush the root onto a slide: Gently crush the softened root tip onto a microscope slide to create a thin section, which will allow light to pass through effectively.
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Stain the root: Apply a stain such as methylene blue to highlight the cells in mitosis, making it easier to distinguish between different stages of cell division.
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Add a drop of water: After staining, add a drop of water to the slide to preserve the specimen and prepare it for viewing.
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Add a cover slip: Finally, place a cover slip over the specimen to prevent contamination and to protect the thin section during observation.
Step 2
Describe what is produced when a single cell divides by mitosis.
Answer
When a single cell divides by mitosis, it produces two genetically identical daughter cells. Each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes, ensuring that they share the same genetic information as the parent cell. This process is crucial for growth, development, and tissue repair in multicellular organisms.