Cells Part 3: Cellular Respiration

DNA

carries genetic instruction for all living organisms

Chromosome

a package of DNA containing part or all of the genetic material of an organism

DNA Replication

fundamental biological process of creating two identical copies from a single original molecule.

DNA Polymerase

is a crucial enzyme that builds new DNA strands by adding nucleotidesto the growing DNA chain during replication.

Nucleotides (A, T, C, G)

refers to the 4 nucleotide bases Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G), which are the building blocks of DNA.

Chargaff’s Rule (The Base Pairing Rule)

states that in DNA, the amount of adenine equals thymine and the amount of cytosine equals guanine. This rule is essential for understanding base pairing in DNA structure.

Nucleus

is the membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the genetic material, regulating gene expression and cell division. It serves as the control center of the cell, orchestrating various cellular activities and housing the cell's DNA.

Asexual Reproduction

is a mode of reproduction where a single organism can reproduce without the involvement of gametes, resulting in offspring genetically identical to the parent.

Cell Cycle

is the series of phases that a cell goes through as it grows and divides. It includes interphase and mitotic phase, ensuring proper replication of DNA and division of the cell.

Mitosis

is the process of cell division where a single cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells, ensuring equal distribution of genetic material.

Cytokinesis

is the final stage of cell division, occurring after mitosis, where the cytoplasm divides and two distinct daughter cells are formed.

Centriole

is a cylindrical cell structure involved in the process of cell division, specifically in the formation of the mitotic spindle that separates chromosomes.

Binary Fission

is a form of asexual reproduction and cell division in prokaryotic organisms, where a single cell splits into two identical cells.

Sexual Reproduction

is a biological process in which two parent organisms contribute genetic material to produce genetically diverse offspring, typically involving the fusion of gametes.

Meiosis

is a specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in the production of gametes with genetic diversity.

Gametes

are haploid cells formed through meiosis that unite during fertilization to create a diploid zygote.

Fertilization

is the process by which a sperm cell and an egg cell combine to form a diploid zygote, initiating the development of a new organism.

Haploid

a cell with half the normal number of chromosomes, typical of gametes, such as sperm and egg cells.

Diploid

a cell containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, typical of somatic cells.

Zygote

the fertilized egg that results from the fusion of a sperm and an egg, containing a diploid set of chromosomes.