Cell Division and Chromosomes

Flashcards covering mitosis, meiosis, cell cycles, chromosomes, and related concepts.

Mitosis

The process when the nucleus of body cells divides, resulting in two genetically identical cells.

Meiosis

The process when the nucleus of sex cells divides, resulting in four cells that are NOT genetically identical.

Cell Cycle

Repeating set of events in the life of a cell.

Interphase

The cell grows and prepares to divide, includes G1, S, and G2 stages.

Mitosis (in cell cycle)

When the nucleus (DNA) divides, includes prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.

Cytokinesis

When the cytoplasm divides, happens AFTER mitosis.

Chromatin

The threadlike structure of DNA, what DNA is called when a cell is not dividing.

Chromosome

Composed of coiled DNA and proteins called histones, made of up two chromatids.

Chromatid

One identical half of a chromosome, genetically identical to each other.

Centromere

Holds chromatids together in a chromosome.

Autosome

All the chromosomes except sex chromosomes, there are 44 in each human body cell.

Sex Chromosomes

Determines the sex of an organism (Male = XY, Female = XX), there are 2 in each human body cell.

Homologous Chromosomes

Chromosomes that are identical in size and code for the same traits (one from each parent -> NOT identical but similar).

Somatic Cell

All the body cells (not including sex cells), each has 46 chromosomes (44 autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes).

Gamete

Another name for the sex cells, each has 23 chromosomes (22 autosomes and 1 sex chromosomes).

Diploid

Normal number of chromosomes (two sets, one from each parent), symbol: 2n, Human number: 2n = 46 (somatic cells).

Haploid

Half the normal number of chromosomes, symbol: n, Human number: n = 23 (gametes/sex cells).

Fertilization

The process in which the nucleus of sex cells join together.

Cancer

Uncontrollable division of cells.

Karyotype

Picture of chromosomes used to identify sex and genetic differences, chromosomes arranged from largest to smallest, sex chromosomes are always last.