Topic 2 Cells- Exam Questions

Question 1

Describe how the student could have prepared a microscope slide to view the cells in this root tip.

Answer 1

Put the root tip on a microscope slide and cut 2mm/ a small section from the very tip of it (Mark 1).
Then used a mounted needle to break the tip open and spread the cells out thinly (1 mark).
Then add a few drops of stain e.g. ethano-orcein or toluidine blue O, and left it for a few minutes (1 mark).
Then placed a cover slip over the cells and pushed down firmly (1 mark).

Question 2

Why did the student use the tip of the root when viewing cells in mitosis.

Answer 2

Root tips are actively growing so the cells here will be undergoing mitosis / dividing.