cell division
how cells reproduce by splitting apart
asexual reproduction
the process of genetically identical offspring from a single parent
sexual reproduction
involves the fusion of two separate parent cells
cell cycle
when the cell grows, prepares for division, and divides to form two daughter cells
interphase
an “in-between” period of growth
mitosis
first stage in cell division; division of the nucleus
cytokinesis
division of the cytoplasm
chromosome
tight packages containing genetic information
chromatin
unwound DNA found in the nucleus
prophase
first phase; chromosomes condense and become visible; nuclear envelope disappears; centrioles move to opposite sides to organize the spindle
sister chromatid
two identical copies of a chromatid
centromere
the thing that hold the two chromatids together
spindle apparatus
controls the movement and separation of chromosomes during division
centriole
helps in the formation of spindle fibers
metaphase
second phase; centromeres line up across the center of the cell; spindle fibers connect the centromere of each chromosome to the two poles of the spindle
anaphase
third phase; centromeres are pulled apart + chromatids become chromosomes; chromosomes separate into two groups near the poles of the spindle
telophase
fourth phase; chromosomes spread out into a tangle of chromatin; nuclear envelope reforms
cyclin
family of proteins that regulate the timing of the cell cycle in eukaryotic cells
growth factor
external regulators that stimulate the growth and division of cells; important during wound healing and embyonic developmentembryonic
cancer
uncontrolled cell growth
tumor
mass created when cancer cells divide uncontrollably
benign tumor
noncancerous
malignant tumor
cancerous
apoptosis
process of programmed cell death
stem cell
unspecialized cells from which differentiated cells develop; doesn’t have particular function
what are some difficulties a cell faces as it increases in size?
demands grow', less efficient in moving nutrients, “information crisis”
how does asexual and sexual reproduction differ?
asexual: genetically identical offspring
sexual: inherit some genetic information from each parent
what are the stages of interphase?
G1, S, G2, M
what happens during the G1 phase?
cell grows and creates new proteins and organelles
what happens during the S phase?
new DNA is created when chromosomes are replicated
what happens during the G2 phase?
preparation for cell division; organelles and molecules required for cell division are produced
what is the role of chromosomes in cell division
allows the DNA to be accurately copied
what are the parts of mitosis
prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase (pmat)
what is the difference between cytokinesis in animal and plant cells?
animal cells: cell is pinched by belt of protein threads
plant cells: vesicles holding cell wall line up in the middle to fuse into a cell plate which separates the cell
what are two functions of mitosis
growth and reproduction
how is the cell cycle regulated?
controlled by regulatory proteins both inside and outside the cell
what are the checkpoints in the cell cycle?
G1, G2, M
what does the G1 checkpoint check?
cell size, nutrient amount, DNA damage and growth factors; happens after G1
what does the G2 checkpoint check?
DNA damage and DNA replication completeness; right before prophase, after G2
what does the M checkpoint check for?
“spindle checkpoint”; chromosomes attached to the spindle properly, make sure there are an equal amount of sister chromatids; between prophase and metaphase
how do cancer cells differ from other cells?
cancer cells do not respond to the signals that regulate the growth of most cells
what are some causes of cancer?
defects in genes that regulate cell growth and division; defects could come from smoking, radiation exposure, defective genes and viral infection