Cell Division and Chromosome Structure

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cell division, chromosome structure, and genetic variation.

Reproduction

The process by which new individual organisms are produced.

Cell Division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

Chromosome

A structure composed of DNA and proteins that contains genetic information.

Centromere

The region of a chromosome where sister chromatids are joined and where spindle fibers attach during cell division.

Sister Chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome that are connected at the centromere.

Karyotype

A display of the chromosome pairs of a cell arranged by size and shape.

Cleavage Furrow

A shallow groove in the cell surface near the old metaphase plate that marks the beginning of cytokinesis in animal cells.

Cell Plate

A structure that forms during cytokinesis in plant cells to separate the daughter cells.

Cyclins

Proteins that regulate the progression of the cell cycle by activating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four haploid cells.

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis, leading to increased genetic variation.

Prophase

The phase of mitosis in which the chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes and the nuclear envelope starts to break down.

Metaphase

The stage of cell division where chromosomes align at the metaphase plate before being separated.

Anaphase

The phase of cell division in which the sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell.

Telophase

The final phase of cell division where the daughter nuclei form and the cell begins to split.

Haploid

A cell that contains a single set of chromosomes, denoted as 'n'.

Diploid

A cell that contains two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, denoted as '2n'.

Zygote

A fertilized egg that is the result of union between a sperm and an egg.

Genetic Variation

Differences in the genetic makeup of individuals, often resulting from independent assortment, crossing over, and random fertilization.