The process of cellular division is called mitosis.You can make it more exciting by looking at pictures and reading the material in your textbook.You can act out the process with a fun dance using your students.
Step 1: Discuss the dance with students.
Discuss the activity with your students so they know what to expect.This activity is a fun way to show the process of cell division.Students will have a better idea of how each phase proceeds if they represent the different parts of the cell.Some of the students will have to hold hands.If some of your students are not comfortable with this, have them stand close to each other.
Step 2: Different students will be assigned the roles.
The students can be told to wear a specific colored shirt if they are assigned roles the day before.The centrioles wear red/orange/yellow, the nuclear membranes wear white, and the chromosomes wear blue.You need an even number to represent the chromosomes for each role.You can have as few as 2 or as many as 8, but you should have at least 4 or 6 students.If you only have 2 student chromosomes, you can make a nucleus with 4 or 5 students.The larger the nuclear membrane, the more chromosomes there are.The centrioles of the cell are represented by four students in pairs of two.Remaining students: at least 10.You want to make a large piece of equipment.
Step 3: In a large empty room, perform outside.
The dance needs a lot of space.It's a good idea to do it outside if the weather is nice.The gymnasium is a good option if it is raining.Push the desks against the wall so you have an open space in the middle of the room.It would be a good idea to make this a performance for the rest of the school.
Step 4: A small circle is made around thechromatin.
The students should group together to make the inside of the nucleus.Students should form a circle around their hands.The nucleus of the cell is represented by a circle.
Step 5: A large circle around the nucleus is needed.
The students should form a larger circle with the nucleus.Instruct the students to hold hands.The students representing the centrioles should be outside the nucleus.On one side of the cell, have both pairs stand near each other.
Step 6: Start moving when you turn on the music.
You have the option of choosing any music that you would like.Anything fast-paced that the students want to dance to is a good option.Everyone is swaying back and forth.Interphase is the phase before the cell starts dividing.The nucleus is intact and the genetic material is uncondensed.
Step 7: The chromosomes have to form pairs.
The first official phase is called prophase.The students inside the nucleus need to hold hands with each other.The students have to leave the cell because the nuclear membrane is dissolving.Centriole pairs should move to opposite ends of the cell.One pair should be on the opposite side of the other.Everyone should keep dancing around the cell.
Step 8: Instruct the cells to line up.
Metaphase is the next phase of cell division.When the chromosomes line up on theequator of the cell, they will be separated from each other.To grab hold of your partner with both hands, chromosomes should move towards the equator of the cell.Continue dancing as you face each other.The centriole pairs should be on the north and south pole of the cell.
Step 9: The chromosomes should be separated from the cell.
The chromosomes are pulled apart in anaphase.Each new cell will have the genetic material from the separated chromosomes.The chromosomes should be let go of their partners.The circle should be stretched out in the direction of the centrioles pairs.
Step 10: To cinch at the center, reform the nucleus.
Telophase is the last phase of the process.Telophase is when the nucleus changes into a peanut shape.The peanut shape can be formed by cinching together the middle of the cell.Each new cell should have a nucleus.The new centrioles of each cell can be let go of.It is possible for the chromosomes to let go of each other.
Step 11: The cell needs to be divided.
The people in the center of the circle need to let go of each other's hands in order to divide the cell.You should now have two separate cells.The final step is called cytokinesis.