Cell Division Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards for cell division unit.

Cell cycle

The series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and duplication.

Interphase

The period in the cell cycle during which the cell grows and accumulates the necessary materials for cell division.

Gap1 (G1)

A period in the cell cycle, representing a gap for cell growth and normal function.

S (DNA synthesis)

The phase of the cell cycle in which DNA is replicated.

Gap2 (G2)

A second gap phase in the cell cycle, preparing the cell for division.

Gap0 (G0)

A resting phase of the cell cycle in which the cell has exited the cycle and does not divide.

Mitosis (M)

A type of 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.

Nuclear Division

The division of the nucleus during mitosis or meiosis.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis or meiosis, in which the chromosomes become visible as paired chromatids and the nuclear envelope disappears.

Mitotic spindle

The structure that separates the sister chromatids during mitosis.

Spindle poles

The microtubule organizing centers for the mitotic spindle during mitosis.

Kinetochore

A complex of proteins associated with the centromere of a chromosome during cell division, to which the microtubules of the spindle attach.

Metaphase

The second stage of mitosis, during which the chromosomes become attached to the spindle fibers.

Metaphase plate

An imaginary plane during metaphase in which the centrometers of all the chromosomes are located.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis in which sister chromatids are separated and move to opposite poles of the cell.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis, in which the separated chromosomes reach the opposite poles of the dividing cell and the nuclei of the daughter cells form.

Cytokinesis

The cytoplasmic division of a cell at the end of mitosis or meiosis, bringing about the separation into two daughter cells.

Daughter Cells

Two cells that result from the division of a single cell during mitosis and meiosis.

DNA

A molecule that carries genetic information.

Chromosomes

A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein that carries genetic information in the form of genes.

Histone

A family of basic proteins that associate with DNA in the nucleus and help condense it into chromatin.

Nucleosome

A structural unit of a eukaryotic chromosome, consisting of a length of DNA coiled around a core of histones.

Centrioles

A cylindrical organelle near the nucleus in animal cells, occurring in pairs and involved in the development of spindle fibers in cell division.

Sister Chromatids

Two identical copies of chromatin formed by the replication of a chromosome, with both copies joined together by the centromere.

Centromere

The region of a chromosome to which the microtubules of the spindle attach, via the kinetochore, during cell division.

Checkpoints

Control mechanisms in the cell cycle that ensure its proper progression.

Cyclins

A family of proteins that control the progression of a cell through the cell cycle by activating cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) enzymes.

CDKs

A family of protein kinases that regulate the cell cycle.

Cell cycle arrest

The temporary or permanent arrest of cell cycle progression.

Cancer

A disease caused by uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.

Apoptosis

The death of cells that occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism's growth or development.

Meiosis I

The first division of meiosis, in which homologous chromosomes are separated.

Meiosis II

The second division of meiosis, in which sister chromatids are separated.

Homologous Chromosome Pairs

A pair of chromosomes having the same genes at the same loci and that pair during meiosis.

Diploid

Containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

Haploid

Having a single set of unpaired chromosomes.