CH 12 D2L

Genome

All the DNA present in a cell.

Prokaryotes

Organisms with a single DNA molecule.

Eukaryotes

Organisms with multiple DNA molecules organized into chromosomes.

Somatic cells

Body cells that contain two sets of chromosomes.

Gametes

Sperm and egg cells that contain half as many chromosomes as somatic cells.

Chromatin

Uncondensed form of DNA when the cell is not dividing.

Sister chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome connected at the centromere.

Centromere

The region where sister chromatids are joined together.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells after mitosis.

Checkpoint

Regulatory points in the cell cycle where the cell assesses whether to proceed with division.

Metastasis

The process by which cancer cells spread to other parts of the body.

Loss of Cell Cycle Controls

When cancer cells no longer respond to the body's regulatory mechanisms governing the cell cycle.

Benign tumor

An abnormal mass of cells that remains at its original site.

Malignant tumor

An abnormal mass of cells that invades surrounding tissues.

Binary Fission

A method of asexual reproduction seen in prokaryotes where the cell divides into two identical cells.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell spends 90% of its time completing processes like growth and DNA replication.

Mitosis

The process of division of genetic material in the nucleus.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis where chromosomes condense and become visible.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis where genetically identical daughter nuclei form.