Question

A scientist treated growing tips of onion roots with a chemical that stops roots growing. After 24 hours, he prepared a stained squash of these root tips. Figure 2 is a drawing showing the chromosomes in a single cell observed in the squash of one of these root tips in anaphase. This cell was typical of other cells in anaphase in these root tips.

a) Use all of this information to suggest how the chemical stops the growth of roots.
b) To promote root growth
c) By causing chromosomal abnormalities
d) By enhancing mitosis

Answer 1

The chemical that stops the growth of roots likely affects the process of cell division, specifically mitosis, in the root tips.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chemical that stops the growth of roots likely affects the process of cell division, specifically mitosis, in the root tips. By treating the growing tips of onion roots with this chemical, the scientist was able to inhibit the separation of chromosomes in anaphase, which is a crucial step in mitosis. This interruption in chromosome separation prevents the cells from progressing through mitosis and ultimately stops root growth.