The cells in an onion tip but not the onion itself are usually actively dividing cells located at the growing tip of the onion root, known as the root cap cells. These cells help protect the delicate meristematic cells responsible for root growth and can often be found in the root zone of plants.
Onion root tip mitosis is multicellular, as it involves multiple cells within the root tip undergoing the process of cell division to produce new cells. Each cell goes through the stages of mitosis to generate daughter cells with identical genetic material.
The mitotic index for the onion root tip is typically around 18-20%, meaning that around 18-20% of cells in the onion root tip are actively undergoing mitosis at any given time. This high mitotic index is due to the rapid growth and development of the root tip.
the reason you wouldn't see chloroplasts is because the onion root tip is underground where light can not reach and why would it need chloroplasts if it didn't need to produce energy form light?
No chloroplasts in cheek and onion cells
Onion cells do not have chloroplasts because the onion is underground where there is no light. Without light chloroplasts have no purpose, so onion cells just don't have them.
The cells in the onion root tip are typically smaller and more uniform in size compared to the cells in a whitefish embryo. Additionally, the onion root tip cells are actively dividing, while the whitefish embryo cells are undergoing differentiation and organ development.
In the onion root tip, daughter cells do not occupy the same column of cells as the parent cell. Instead, they move away from the parent cell as they undergo cell division and growth. This process allows for the root to elongate and continue its growth.
Heating the onion root tip cells softens the cell walls and allows the acetocarmine stain to penetrate the cells. The stain then binds to the DNA in the cells, making the chromosomes visible under a microscope for easier observation and analysis in cell division studies.
The area of active cell division in the onion root tip is called the meristematic region. It contains undifferentiated cells that continuously divide to generate new cells for growth and development.
Scientists can examine the tip of an onion root by preparing a thin section with a microtome and staining it to make the cells visible under a microscope. They can then observe the different cell types in the root tip, such as root cap cells, meristematic cells, and elongating cells. This allows them to study the process of cell division and growth in the root tissue.
Onion root tip cells generally cycle through the cell cycle in about 24 hours. This means that all the stages of the cell cycle, including interphase, mitosis, and cytokinesis, occur within this time frame. This rapid cell cycle allows for continuous growth and development of the onion root tip.
Onion root tip cells are typically rectangular in shape with a distinct rectangular nucleus located towards one end. They often have a clear central vacuole surrounded by a layer of cytoplasm and a cell wall.
Onion root tip mitosis is multicellular, as it involves multiple cells within the root tip undergoing the process of cell division to produce new cells. Each cell goes through the stages of mitosis to generate daughter cells with identical genetic material.
To stain onion root tip cells with acetocarmine, first immerse the root tip in acetocarmine solution for a few minutes to allow the stain to penetrate the cells. Then, rinse the root tip with water to remove excess stain while retaining the stained cells. Mount the root tip onto a slide with a drop of water and cover with a coverslip for observation under a microscope.
When examining an onion root tip slide under a microscope, you can observe the different stages of cell division, such as interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. This allows you to study the process of mitosis and observe the structure and arrangement of the cells in the root tip.
The mitotic index for the onion root tip is typically around 18-20%, meaning that around 18-20% of cells in the onion root tip are actively undergoing mitosis at any given time. This high mitotic index is due to the rapid growth and development of the root tip.
Acetocarmine is a DNA specific stain like feulgen stain, so the super coiled chromosomes during different stages of mitosis present in the Onion root tip cells can be visualized perfectly by treating with this stain.