RP2- Mitosis

Question 1

Equipment list:

Answer 1

1. Optical microscope
2. Microscope slides and cover slips
3. Water bath
4. Hydrochloric acid
5. Stain
6. Distilled water
7. Scalpel
8. Forceps
9. 100ml beaker
10. Root tip

Question 2

Method:

Answer 2

1. Heat 1mol dm^-3 HCL at 60C in a water bath
2. Cut a small sample of the root tip using a scalpel
3. Transfer root tip to HCL and incubate for 5 mins
4. Remove from HCL and wash sample in cold distilled water and remove the very tip using a scalpel
5. Please tip on a microscope slide and add a few drops of stain. This makes the chromosomes visible and therefore show which cells undergoing mitosis.
6. Lower the cover slip down carefully onto the slide. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the slide which made to store the image, and that the cover slip doesn’t slide sideways which could damage the chromosomes.
7. Place under a microscope and the objective lens on the lowest magnification.
8. Use the course adjustment knob to move the lens down to just above the slide.
9. Use the fine adjustment of readjust the focus until the images is clear.
10. To calculate mitotic index cells undergoing mitosis must be counted as well as the total number of cells

Question 3

Risk assessment

Answer 3

Hydrochloric acid -> may cause harm/irritation to eyes or in cuts -> where eye protection, avoid contact with skin, tie up long hair -> if an emergency wash of skin immediately and flood eyes/car with cold water

Stain -> may cause harm/irritation to eyes or in cuts -> where eye protection and avoid contact skin -> wash off skin immediately, flush eye/cuts with cold water
Scalpel -> cuts from sharp object -> cut away from fingers, you use forceps to hold sample whilst cutting, keep away from the edge of the desk -> elevate cuts, apply pressure, seek medical assistance
Broken glass -> cups from sharp object