Ch 18 - Cell Cycle

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to cell division, mitosis, and the cell cycle.

What is the process by which a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells?

Mitosis

What are paired chromosomes that share the same genes at the same locations, with one inherited from each parent?

Homologous Chromosomes

What are two identical copies of a chromosome produced during DNA replication?

Sister Chromatids

What is the Microtubule organizing center (MTOC) near the nucleus called?

Centrosome

What is the series of microtubules that ensures accurate chromosomal segregation during cell division?

Mitotic Spindle

What protein structure links chromosomes to the mitotic spindle?

Kinetochore

What is programmed cell death for unneeded or abnormal cells called?

Apoptosis

What is the fission of the plasma membrane at the end of mitosis, leading to two separate daughter cells?

Cytokinesis

What protein family is involved in the tight regulation of cell cycle checkpoint progression?

Cyclin-dependent Kinase

What is the goal of the cell cycle?

To produce two genetically identical daughter cells from one parent cell

What are the four main phases of the cell cycle?

G1, S, G2, and M phases

What name is given to the ‘growth’ or ‘Gap 1’ phase of the cell cycle?

G1 Phase

What typically happens to cells that divide more rapidly in context to G1 phase?

Cells that divide more rapidly will spend less time in G1

What is the 'resting' phase of the cell cycle?

G0 phase

Can cells re-enter the G1 phase from G0 phase?

Some cells can re-enter the G1 phase with the help of growth factors

What happens if a cell has significant DNA damage?

It may enter the G0 phase or undergo apoptosis

What is the process of programmed cell death?

Apoptosis

Why is apoptosis important during development?

For the correct formation of organs and tissues

What is the 'synthesis' phase of the cell cycle?

S phase

What process occurs during the S phase of the cell cycle?

DNA replication

What is the 'Growth and preparation for mitosis' phase of the cell cycle?

G2 phase

What activities occur during the G2 phase?

Protein and organelle synthesis and cell growth

What three phases are collectively known as Interphase?

G1, S, and G2

Which phase of the cell cycle do cells spend the most time in?

Interphase

What is the ‘Mitosis’ phase of the Cell Cycle?

M phase

What is the first stage of mitosis?

Prophase

How many pairs of chromosomes do humans have?

23

What happens to individual chromosomes during prophase?

Chromosomes are condensed and become visible as discrete objects

What cellular structures migrate away from each other during prophase?

Centrosomes (MTOCs)

What marks the onset of prometaphase?

Fragmentation of the nuclear envelope

Where do sister chromatids align during metaphase?

Metaphase plate

What happens to sister chromatids during anaphase?

They separate and move toward opposite poles.

What are the two steps of Anaphase?

Anaphase A and Anaphase B

What happens to the daughter chromosomes during telophase?

They arrive at the poles of the spindle

What reforms during telophase?

Nuclear envelopes

What is the last of the 5 phases of Mitosis (M phase)?

Telophase

What process occurs after the 5 stages of mitosis?

Cytokinesis

What primarily drives cytokinesis?

A contractile ring made of Actin and Myosin filaments

How many regulatory checkpoints are there in the cell cycle?

3

What are the names of the regulatory checkpoints in the cell cycle?

G1/S transition, G2/M transition, and Metaphase/Anaphase transition