cell communications

What is apoptosis?

Programmed cell death that allows a cell to die in a controlled manner.

What triggers apoptosis?

Signals that can come from inside or outside of the cell.

Why do cells undergo apoptosis during embryonic development?

Cells that are no longer required die or are engulfed by neighboring cells.

What is one reason a cell might initiate apoptosis?

The cell has sustained too much genetic damage that could lead to cancer.

What are the two types of cell division?

Mitosis and Meiosis.

How do prokaryotic cells divide?

Through binary fission.

What is binary fission?

Asexual reproduction in which a parent cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

What is the first step of binary fission?

DNA replication, resulting in two identical chromosomes.

What occurs during chromosome segregation in binary fission?

The two chromosomes segregate and move to opposite ends of the cell.

What is cytokinesis?

The division of the cytoplasm resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells.

What is the cell cycle?

A sequence of growth and division that living and dividing cells pass through.

What are the phases of the cell cycle?

Interphase (G1, S, G2), Mitosis, and Cytokinesis.

What happens during the G1 phase of interphase?

Intense growth occurs.

What occurs during the S phase of interphase?

DNA of chromosomes is replicated.

What is the role of centrosomes in cell division?

They organize the mitotic spindle for chromosome movement.

What is karyokinesis?

The nuclear division that occurs during mitosis.

What happens during prophase?

The nuclear membrane begins to break down, and chromosomes condense and become visible.

What is the metaphase plate?

The alignment of chromosomes in the middle of the cell during metaphase.

What occurs during anaphase?

Centromeres of each chromosome separate, pulling sister chromatids apart.

What happens during telophase?

Chromosomes are at opposite ends of the cell, and the nuclear membrane reforms.

How does cytokinesis differ in animal and plant cells?

Animal cells form a cleavage furrow, while plant cells form a cell plate.

What is the G0 phase?

A resting phase where cells are not actively preparing to divide.

What are sister chromatids?

Identical copies of a single chromosome that are attached to each other.

What is a centromere?

The region that holds two chromatids together and organizes microtubules during cell division.

What is a kinetochore?

A protein on the centromere that attaches chromatids to the mitotic spindle.