Cell Cycle and Mitosis Flashcards

Flashcards for Cell Cycle and Mitosis lecture review.

Binary Fission

Asexual reproduction in prokaryotic cells where the cell grows and divides into two identical daughter cells.

Chromatin

The complex of DNA and proteins that make up eukaryotic chromosomes.

Sister Chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome formed during DNA replication, attached at the centromere.

Centromere

The region of a chromosome where sister chromatids are joined.

Mitosis

Cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth.

Meiosis

Cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, as in the production of gametes.

Diploid

Cells with two sets of chromosomes (2n).

Interphase

The period of the cell cycle during which the cell grows and copies its chromosomes in preparation for cell division.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm of a cell following division of the nucleus.

Mitotic Spindle

The structure responsible for segregating chromosomes during cell division.

Prophase

The stage of mitosis where chromatin condenses and the mitotic spindle begins to form.

Prometaphase

The phase of mitosis where the nuclear envelope fragments and microtubules attach to kinetochores.

Kinetochores

The protein structures on sister chromatids where microtubules attach.

Microtubule

A hollow rod of the protein tubulin in the cytoplasm of cells involved in intracellular shape and transport.

Metaphase

The phase of mitosis where chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate.

Metaphase Plate

An imaginary plane midway between the two spindle poles where chromosomes align during metaphase.

Anaphase

The phase of mitosis where sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles.

Telophase

The phase of mitosis where daughter nuclei form, and chromosomes decondense.

Cleavage Furrow

A contractile ring of actin and myosin filaments pinches the cell in two.

Cell Plate

A structure formed during plant cell cytokinesis to create a new cell wall.

Cell Cycle Checkpoint

A point in the cell cycle where progress can be halted until conditions are suitable for the next phase.

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase (Cdk)

A protein kinase that is active only when attached to a cyclin.

Cyclin

A protein that fluctuates in concentration cyclically in the cell, regulating the cell cycle.

Maturation Promoting Factor (MPF)

A cyclin-Cdk complex that triggers the cell's passage past the G2 checkpoint into the M phase.

Benign Tumor

A non-cancerous tumor that does not spread to other tissues.

Malignant Tumor

A cancerous tumor that can spread to other tissues.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells to locations distant from their original site.