RP2 - Mitosis

• Aim of the practical: To observe mitosis
• Garlic roots are used as they contain meristem within them. These will undergo cell differentiation to become more specialised.
• Method:

  1. Cut the roots from the garlic and place in the watch glass
  2. Add 2 drops of hydraulic acid to toluidine blue. Add 2 drops of toluidine blue to the sample
  3. Add to a microscope slip
  4. Add another drop of toluidine blue
  5. Add a cover slip and place under the microscope.
• The hydraulic acid breaks down the cell walls and allowed toluidine blue to enter cells
• Toluidine blue requires no heating. But can stain clothes
• A paper towel will be used to squash the specimen to make it thin for the optical microscope.