Cellular Reproduction: Mitosis & Meiosis

These flashcards cover key concepts and terminologies related to cellular reproduction, including mitosis, meiosis, genetic variation, and the cell cycle.

Genome

The double stranded DNA in a cell.

Prokaryotes

Organisms with a single double stranded DNA molecule in a loop, found in the nucleoid region.

Eukaryotes

Organisms that have pairs of double stranded DNA called chromosomes located in a nucleus.

Binary Fission

Asexual reproduction method in prokaryotes where a single cell divides into two identical cells.

Karyotype

An artificial arrangement of chromosomes by length, displaying the number and shapes of chromosomes.

Diploid

Cells that have two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

Haploid

Cells that have one set of chromosomes, as seen in gametes.

Chromatin

DNA wrapped around histone proteins, which condenses into chromosomes during mitosis.

Mitosis

The division of replicated DNA to produce genetically identical cells.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm and organelles to form two daughter cells.

Cell Cycle Checkpoints

Regulatory points in the cell cycle that monitor cell division and can prevent uncontrolled growth.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half to form gametes, includes two nuclear divisions.

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during Prophase I of meiosis, increasing genetic diversity.

Random Assortment

The random distribution of maternal and paternal chromosomes into gametes during meiosis, contributing to genetic diversity.

Cancer

A disease characterized by uncontrolled cell division, often related to malfunction at cell cycle checkpoints.

Gametes

Reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that are haploid and combine during fertilization to form a diploid zygote.

Zygote

The resulting cell from the fertilization of an egg by a sperm, which will divide to form an embryo.