Data-based question: Centromeres and telomeres

(page 54)
The following images support the data-based question on page 54 of the IB
Biology Course Companion (2014 edition).

They show micrographs of cells undergoing mitosis in which the DNA has
been stained blue, the centromeres have been stained with a red fluorescent
dye and the telomeres with a green fluorescent dye.

Images courtesy of dr. Glyn Jenkins (University of Aberystwyth)

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1 Deduce the stage of mitosis that the cell was in (using

the image below), giving reasons for your answer.

Figure 1 Cell in mitosis

(Same as Figure 3 on page 54
of the Course Companion)

10 m

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2 The cell has an even number of chromosomes.

a) State how many chromosomes there are in this cell.

Figure 2 Cell in C-metaphase*

*C-metaphase is observed when

cells are treated with colchicine, a
drug which arrests mitosis in
metaphase.

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2 c) In the micrograph of a cell in interphase, the

centromeres are on one side of the nucleus and the
telomeres on the other side. Suggest reasons for this.

Figure 3 Cell in interphase

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The following images show the cell progressing through

all the phases of mitosis.

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Interphase

Prophase
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Early metaphase

Late metaphase
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Early anaphase

Late anaphase
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Telophase
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