Neco 2017 Biology Question 2

Practice practical question 2 from the 2017 Neco Biology examination. This question covers Cell Division, Mitosis, Microscopy, Data analysis .

Neco 2017 Biology Practical
Topics: Cell Division Mitosis Microscopy Data analysis
Question 2 NECO • 2017 • BIOLOGY • practical

A fresh onion root tip is collected, fixed in 1% acetic acid, stained with Feulgen stain and a squash preparation is made. Using the 40× objective of a compound microscope, you examine 200 cells and record the following numbers in each stage of mitosis: Prophase – 30 cells, Metaphase – 50 cells, Anaphase – 20 cells, Telophase – 10 cells, Interphase – 90 cells.

Question Parts

( a )
Calculate the mitotic index (percentage of cells undergoing mitosis).
( b )
Determine the percentage of the total cells that are in each individual phase of mitosis.
( c )
Discuss what the relatively high proportion of cells in metaphase may indicate about the effect of the Feulgen stain on the cell cycle.
( d )
Identify two possible sources of error that could affect the accuracy of the mitotic index and suggest a method to minimise each error.

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About This Question

This is Neco 2017 Biology Question 2. It is one of the practical questions from the 2017 Neco Biology examination.

The question covers Cell Division, Mitosis, Microscopy, Data analysis .

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