Cell’s Alive- Mitosis: An Interactive Animation

Shannon DeSmet & Tammy Dudenhoffer Cell’s Alive- Mitosis: An Interactive Animation Pre- Simulation Worksheet Step 1: Choose a partner Each person will have a role to play. One person will be the recorder in charge of writing down all necessary information. The other will be the manipulator, and will be responsible for the computer portion of this lesson. Step 2: What do you already know? From the reading, you were introduced to the process of cell division called mitosis. Recall that there are 5 stages of this process following the initial stage (Intephase). They are (in no particular order): Telophase, Metaphase, Prophase, Anaphase, and Cytokinesis. Each of these stages corresponds to one of the pictures below. With your partner, predict the order (1-6, 1 being the first stage and so on) of the illustrations shown below. Order the pictures from 1 – 6 (1 being the first stage) by writing numbers the blanks. ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Step 3: Give that stage a name! Now that you have put your pictures in order try to give a name to each corresponding number 1. Interphase 2. Shannon DeSmet & Tammy Dudenhoffer 3. 4. 5. 6. Simulation Exercises Each pair will need to sit at one computer. The ‘manipulator’ will turn on the computer and open Internet Explorer. The ‘recorder’ will need a pencil and this exercise sheet so that they can make notes and fill in the answers that the two of you come up with for the questions at the end. Both partners should work together and contribute equally when finding the answers to the questions. When Explorer has loaded, you are ready to begin by following the procedure outlined below. Procedure Step 1: In the address box at the top of the browser in Explorer, type in http://www.cellsalive.com/mitosis.htm, and click Go. Once the page has loaded, it should look like this: Step 2: Read the instructions on the Cells Alive webpage below the heading ‘Animal Cell Mitosis’ to familiarize yourself with the controls of this simulation. Shannon DeSmet & Tammy Dudenhoffer Step 3: Press the Play button on the simulation display, and watch the animation as it progresses through the stages of mitosis. Step 4: Scroll down the page and read the explanations for the events of all the six stages found under the heading “Events During Mitosis”. Note: For the purpose of this exercise, assume that Prometephase events occur during the later part of Prophase. Step 5: Go back to display at the top of the page and slowly progress through the animation’s stages using the Step arrows. At each stage, look for evidence of the events that should be occurring as outlined in the written explanations you have just read. Step 6: Press the Play button again, and this time compare the animated cell division to the microscopic view shown in the top left hand box of the display. Write down any similarities or differences you observe in the space below. Similarities Differences Step 7: Complete all of the following questions by collaborating with your partner. Questions: 1. During what phase of mitosis does a contractile ring form? Shannon DeSmet & Tammy Dudenhoffer 2. During what phase of mitosis does the cell have all the chromosomes aligned on one plane? 3. When the chromatids are pulled apart and move in opposite directions, what cell structure are they being pulled toward? 4. Draw a cell undergoing Prophase and explain what is going on inside the cell at this point. The 5. Draw a cell undergoing Telophase, and explain what is going on inside the call at this point. 6. Draw a cell during all 6 stages of mitotic division, and label each stage with the appropriate name. Shannon DeSmet & Tammy Dudenhoffer 7. At the end of the cell division process, after Cytokinesis, how many cells are formed from the one original cell? 8. Write a paragraph that will, in your own words, tell the story of one cell’s journey through mitosis beginning at Interphase and ending after Cytokinesis is complete. Summary: The purpose of this activity was to show you what is going on inside cells, human cells or the cells of any living animal, when they are dividing. Cell division is an important process for all living things as it allows them to grow and mature, as well as repair damage. It is important to remember that the animated images shown on the website are a simulation of the events that are going on inside a cell undergoing mitosis. Simulations are NOT reality; they are a simplified version of reality used to help you to understand the basic concepts behind mitotic cell division (so that if given a chance to watch it under a microscope, you would know what to look for and have an idea about what is going on at the cellular level). It is hoped that this simulation has helped you understand the complex process of Mitosis a little bit better. After completing the simulation exercises you should be able to: order and name the 6 stages of mitosis. recognize and/or draw what a cell look like during each stage. Shannon DeSmet & Tammy Dudenhoffer - explain in words the events that are occurring within a cell at each stage of mitosis. Hope you enjoyed it!