Examine the onion root tip preparation which shows mitosis in nicely aligned cells better than mitotic cells can be seen in any animal tissue. Find examples of all stages of mitosis: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.

In sectioned animal tissues, specific stages of mitotic cells are very difficult to identify. Mitotic cells have very condensed chromatin and can be located easily only in certain rapidly growing tissues of adult organs, including among the epithelial cells of endometrial glands in the growth phase, certain lymphoid tissues, and in the crypts of the small intestine.

Before going on, try this little pop quiz on cell organelles. It's self-assessment and no one but you sees the score.

Now for epithelia.