LEARNING OUTCOMES: 1. Prepare an aceto-orcein squash of anthers from a flower buds. 2. Demonstrate the stage of meiosis in microsporogenesis. 3. Identify the basic features of meiosis
MATERIALS 1. 70% ethyl alcohol 2. Absolute ethyl alcohol 3. Acetocarmine stain in dropping bottle 4. Bunsen burner 5. Cover slip 6. Teasing needles 7. Forceps 8. Compound Microscope 9. Scalpel or razor blade 10. Slides 11. Supply of immature flower buds (chives) 12. Watch glass
METHODS 1. An individual flower bud was remove from the storage container and was placed in a watch glass. A few drops of 70% ethyl alcohols were added to keep the anther moist. 2. Individual flower buds moist in alcohol were continually kept to dissect the anthers from the bud. 3. Some anther was transfer to a clean microscope slide and was placed in a drop of aceto-orcein stain. A teasing needle was use to macerates the anthers, freeing the microsporocytes from the anther walls. 4. A cover slip was applied and was heat over the Bunsen burner. Stain was added to prevent dying. 5. Paper toweling was use to cover the slide after heating and was press down firmly with thumb. This will flatten the microsporocytes and make it possible to observe the chromosome in the various meiotic stages. 6. If anther from more than one flower is crushed, different stages are likely to be observed. The slide was observed by using the compound microscope.
QUESTION AND ANSWER 1. Does crossing over occur before or after chromosome duplication in cells going through meiosis?
Crossing over occurs