Biology AS Assessed practical: Mitosis
Risk assessment for practical
* Wear safety goggles when handling chemicals, such as hydrochloric acid and acetic orcein stain, to prevent any foreign particles from entering the eye, as if acetic orcein stain is overheated it tends to bubble and spit.
* Take care when handling the Bunsen burner as you may burn yourself.
* Tie your hair back if it is long to prevent it catching alight when using the Bunsen burner, and to prevent it from restricting vision by getting in your eyes.
* Take care when handling the acetic orcein stain as if spilled it will stain clothing and skin.
* Do not sit down during the experiment, especially when Bunsen burners are alight, and keep all chairs/stools out of the way as these will slow down reaction time, in case of an emergency.
* Take care when using the scalpel as it is sharp and you may cut yourself, and always use a wooden board to ensure you do not make incisions elsewhere.
Results
Table of class results showing the averages for the number of cells out of 50 undergoing each stage of mitosis.
Stage of mitosis Individual class results of the number of cells undergoing mitotic division Average number of cells found
Prophase 14 13 16 11 18 10 21 18 23 23 17 Metaphase 9 18 11 8 13 4 11 12 13 4 10 Anaphase 15 11 14 10 12 15 15 7 7 7 11 Telophase 12 8 9 21 7 21 3 13 7 16 12 The figures for the average number of cell found were rounded up, as you cannot have a fraction of a cell.
Risk assessment for practical
* Wear safety goggles when handling chemicals, such as hydrochloric acid and acetic orcein stain, to prevent any foreign particles from entering the eye, as if acetic orcein stain is overheated it tends to bubble and spit.
* Take care when handling the Bunsen burner as you may burn yourself.
* Tie your hair back if it is long to prevent it catching alight when using the Bunsen burner, and to prevent it from restricting vision by getting in your eyes.
* Take care when handling the acetic orcein stain as if spilled it will stain clothing and skin.
* Do not sit down during the experiment, especially when Bunsen burners are alight, and keep all chairs/stools out of the way as these will slow down reaction time, in case of an emergency.
* Take care when using the scalpel as it is sharp and you may cut yourself, and always use a wooden board to ensure you do not make incisions elsewhere.
Results
Table of class results showing the averages for the number of cells out of 50 undergoing each stage of mitosis.
Stage of mitosis Individual class results of the number of cells undergoing mitotic division Average number of cells found
Prophase 14 13 16 11 18 10 21 18 23 23 17 Metaphase 9 18 11 8 13 4 11 12 13 4 10 Anaphase 15 11 14 10 12 15 15 7 7 7 11 Telophase 12 8 9 21 7 21 3 13 7 16 12 The figures for the average number of cell found were rounded up, as you cannot have a fraction of a cell.
