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  10. 2-4-cell-membranes-and-transport
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  11. 2-5-cell-recognition-and-the-immune-system
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  12. 2-6-vaccines-disease-and-monoclonal-antibodies
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  13. 3-1-adaptations-for-gas-exchange
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  14. 3-2-human-gas-exchange
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  15. 3-3-digestion-and-absorption
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  16. 3-4-mass-transport-in-animals
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  17. 3-5-the-circulatory-system-in-animals
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  19. 4-1-dna-genes-and-chromosomes
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  21. 4-3-genetic-diversity-mutations-and-meiosis
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  22. 4-4-genetic-diversity-and-adaptation
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Exam code:7401

Mitotic index

  • The mitotic index is the proportion of cells (in a group of cells or a sample of tissue) that are undergoing mitosis

  • The mitotic index can be calculated using the formula below:

mitotic index = number of cells with visible chromosomes ÷ total number of cells

  • The answer can be multiplied by 100 if the mitotic index is required as a percentage

Worked Example

A student who wanted to observe mitosis prepared a sample of cells. They counted a total of 42 cells in their sample, 32 of which had visible chromosomes.

Calculate the mitotic index for this sample of cells (give your answer to 2 decimal places).

mitotic index = number of cells with visible chromosomes ÷ total number of cells

mitotic index = 32 ÷ 42

mitotic index = 0.76

Worked Example

The table below shows the number of cells in different stages of mitosis in a sample from a garlic root tip. Calculate the mitotic index for this tissue (give your answer to 2 decimal places).

Mitotic index table, downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes

mitotic index = number of cells with visible chromosomes ÷ total number of cells

mitotic index = (prophase + metaphase + anaphase + telophase) ÷ total number of cells

mitotic index = (14 + 5 + 3 + 6) ÷ (36 + 14 + 5 + 3 + 6)

mitotic index = 28 ÷ 64

mitotic index = 0.44

Worked Example

The micrograph below shows a sample of cells from an onion root tip. Calculate the mitotic index for this tissue (give your answer to 2 decimal places).

Illustration of human chromosomes in various stages of cell division under a microscope, arranged in a grid pattern on a pale background.
A Sample of cells from an onion root tip

Number of cells with visible chromosomes (green) = 20

Total number of cells (green + red) = 20 + 55 = 75

mitotic index = number of cells with visible chromosomes ÷ total number of cells

mitotic index = 20 ÷ 75

mitotic index = 0.27

Rows of illustrated cells with numbers; some highlighted in green showing different mitotic stages, including metaphase and anaphase.
A sample of cells from an onion root tip

Calculating the size of root tip cells

  • The images (micrographs) taken of slides containing root tip cells can be used to calculate the actual size of root tip cells

  • The magnification equation can be used:

actual size = size of image ÷ magnification

  • The size of cells is typically measured using the micrometre (μm) scale, with cellular structures measured in either micrometres (μm) or nanometers (nm)

  • When doing calculations, all measurements must be in the same units

    • It is best to use the smallest unit of measurement shown in the question

  • To convert units, multiply or divide depending if the units are increasing or decreasing

  • Magnification does not have units

Examiner Tips and Tricks

  • There are 1000 nanometers (nm) in a micrometre (µm)

  • There are 1000 micrometres (µm) in a millimetre (mm)

  • There are 1000 millimetres (mm) in a metre (m)

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