Yes, onion roots are composed of cells. Onion root tips are frequently used in biology education to study cell division (mitosis) because their cells are easily observable under a microscope and divide readily.
Observing Onion Root Cells
Several sources confirm the cellular structure of onion roots:
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Microscopic Observation: Many resources describe protocols for observing onion root tip cells under a microscope, highlighting the presence of chromosomes and cellular regions. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4272485/, https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Botany/A_Photographic_Atlas_forBotany(Morrow)/10%3A_Cells_and_Tissues/10.03%3A_Cell_Division/10.3.01%3A_Interphase_Mitosis_and_Cytokinesis, https://app.pivotinteractives.com/activities/60ff4b134b1423001f252121/preview, https://biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html) These studies show that staining techniques can be used to make the chromosomes within the cells more easily visible.
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Cell Cycle: The cell cycle in onion root tips has been studied extensively, demonstrating a clear cellular structure and function. (https://ncert.nic.in/pdf/publication/sciencelaboratorymanuals/classXII/biology/lelm204.pdf) The approximately 24-hour cell cycle further confirms the presence and activity of cells within the onion root.
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Research Studies: Various research papers utilize onion root tip cells for studying various aspects of cell biology, including the effects of different substances on cell division and growth. (https://www.scielo.br/j/gmb/a/F99FZPqXmTJYrP3BPmwHR9b/, https://bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-3059.2001.00549.x, https://bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-3059.1999.00370.x, https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jexbot/51.344.547) The fact that researchers use onion root cells in experiments demonstrates their cellular nature.
In summary, numerous scientific studies and educational resources confirm that onion roots are composed of cells.
