Scientific drawings in Biology

[EspoirTron]

Hey everyone,

So for my practical experiment I observed some onion root tips under a microscope. Basically we had to try and identify four stages of mitosis, including: prophase, anaphase, telophase and metaphase. On top of this we also had to find interphase. What we have to do is now create some drawings of each of these phases. I have photos of all of these phases and was wondering if someone could help me understand what specific conventions I have to adhere to? Also, how do I sketch  chromosomes? I know that we're not allowed to shade but that's as far as my knowledge extends in this type of drawing.

[vox nihili]

• Suitable size (it should fit the whole page)
• Use a lead pencil
• Title the drawing appropriately (species name should be underlined), title should give a description of what the drawing is of, eg "Root tip cells of Oniony onionus stained with DNA finder 1000 at 500000x magnification"
• Include the magnification
• Include a linear scale
• Indicate key features with straight, ruled labelled lines
• Do not shade nor colour
• Label lines do not have arrow heads and should never, ever, ever cross one another
• Following these rules, draw what you see

[EspoirTron]

Thank you very much Mr. T-Rave!
What I am also wondering is, since I cannot shade, how would I draw something like a chromosome? Well essentially that's all I am drawing anyway.

[vox nihili]

Thank you very much Mr. T-Rave!
What I am also wondering is, since I cannot shade, how would I draw something like a chromosome? Well essentially that's all I am drawing anyway.

This is from a prac I did last year. I did receive full marks for it, though I'd suggest that the drawing probably isn't that good. As long as it somewhat resembles what you're looking at it should be fine. And as long as you follow those particular standards that I mentioned earlier. Also, sorry that it's rotated. For some reason, TinyPic keeps rotating my images :\