To grow garlic roots for mitosis studies, you need to sprout the roots from garlic cloves. Here's a step-by-step guide, incorporating insights from the Nuffield Foundation:
Sprouting Garlic Roots for Mitosis
The Nuffield Foundation suggests using garlic cloves because they are a readily available source of root tips. The key is to stagger the sprouting times to observe different rates of mitosis in root tips of varying ages.
Materials Needed
- Garlic cloves
- Water
- Small containers (e.g., small jars or beakers)
- Paper towels (optional)
Procedure
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Preparation: Select firm, healthy garlic cloves. You can peel off the outer layers, but be careful not to damage the clove itself.
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Sprouting:
- Place the garlic cloves in small containers with the root end (the wider end) facing down.
- Add water to the container, ensuring that only the base of the clove is submerged. The top portion should remain dry to prevent rotting. You can also wrap the base of the garlic with wet paper towel and keep it inside container.
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Staggered Start Dates: According to the Nuffield Foundation, set up several cloves to sprout at different times to compare mitosis rates:
- Group 1: Start sprouting 10 days before you need the root tips.
- Group 2: Start sprouting 5 days before you need the root tips.
- Group 3: Start sprouting 2 days before you need the root tips.
- Group 4: Start sprouting 1 day before you need the root tips.
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Incubation: Place the containers in a location with indirect sunlight and at room temperature.
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Monitoring: Regularly check the water level and replenish as needed. Within a few days, you should start to see roots emerging from the base of the cloves.
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Root Length: Allow the roots to grow to a suitable length for observation, usually 1-2 cm.
Tips for Success
- Water Quality: Use tap water that has been left to stand for 24 hours to allow chlorine to dissipate, or use distilled/deionized water.
- Observation: Observe the roots daily to monitor their growth and overall health.
- Timing: The exact sprouting time can vary depending on the garlic variety and environmental conditions, so adjust your schedule accordingly.
By following these steps and implementing the staggered approach recommended by the Nuffield Foundation, you can successfully grow garlic roots for mitosis studies, allowing for a comparative analysis of cell division rates.
