A Study of Chromosome formation through observation of the cell cycle (Abstract) - Research Paper Example

By observing the cell-cleavage which occurs in the cell of an organism, analysis of the reproduction of how DNA pass through, and finally deductingthe significance of the process of each cell division within somatic cell division, we can grow to understand the process of chromosome formation. The key to this process is observing the cell-cycle. Cell divisions occur in two parts: the interphase and the miotic phase, the former of which can be further sub-divided into the G1, S and G2 phase. We observed the somatic cell division and meiosis stages to get an understanding of the process of chromosomal formation.

We grew union roots to two centimeters, retrieved a 1cm sample, allowed them to steep in a fixative solution for 24 hours which keeps them in stasis, exposed them to hydochloric acid at sixty degrees Celsius, prepared the onion onto a slide, applied the reagent, sealed the slide and observed using an optical microscope. We did a similar process to a kanoi, in order to understand differences and similarities in chromosomal formation. Chromosomal bunching was observed, and it became difficult to distinguish between chromosomes.

Most observations were of the interphase period. Chromosomes split, reproduced on DNA molecules during the S stage, became thicker and shorter and produced spindle fiber. Only a tiny minority of cells observed were in metaphase, moving to the equatorial plane; however, this tiny minority was more than expected, as metaphase is by far the most brief phase and it is likely in any given sample that no cells would be in metaphase at the time of the application of the fixative. Anaphase and telophase samples were also observed.

7% more interphase cells were perceived than would be expected by random chance, well within standard error. P value was .734, larger than expected but still not sufficient to reject the null hypothesis. Greater detail would be needed to determine more accurately: Some experimental error may have been due to the difficulty in perceiving the difference between interphase and later phases. Nonetheless, chromosomal formation was observed in all expected stages. Keywords: Chromosome formation, cell cycle, phase, cell-cleavage