unit 2,preparing root tip squash

Question 1

why should you use toluidine blue

Answer 1

it binds to the chromatin DNA staining it blue and making it visible, staining the chromosomes making it clearly visible

Question 2

why are the root tips suspended in distilled water

Answer 2

the water helps elongate the cells as it is absorbed by osmosis causing the cells to swell. this separates the cells making them easier to see

Question 3

why should you use acid

Answer 3

to help break down the cell walls and make them more permeable to allow the stain to penetrate the cell and reach the chromosomes

Question 4

why do you gently press on the coverslip

Answer 4

to produce a layer that is one cell thick this ensures light can travel through the slide

Question 5

why should you not slide the cover slip

Answer 5

to prevent the cells from from rolling on top of each other , to prevent obscuring the view of chromosomes. it also prevents the cells from being damaged not ruptured

Question 6

what effects different results

Answer 6

different types of plants used, depends on the age or time of day it was cut. also depends on how the plant was grown eg) temperature or nutrients availability