The Cell Cycle

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the Cell Cycle, including definitions and important processes.

Cell cycle

The series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and duplication of its DNA to produce two daughter cells.

Meiosis

A special type of cell division that produces nonidentical daughter cells, such as sperm and egg cells.

Genome

All the DNA in a cell, which can consist of a single DNA molecule or multiple DNA molecules.

Somatic cells

Non-reproductive cells that have two sets of chromosomes.

Gametes

Reproductive cells (sperm and eggs) that have half as many chromosomes as somatic cells.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell grows, performs normal functions, and duplicates its DNA.

Mitosis

The division of the genetic material in the nucleus.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm, resulting in two distinct daughter cells.

Cyclins

Regulatory proteins that control the progression of the cell cycle.

Checkpoints

Specific points in the cell cycle where the cell can stop until a go-ahead signal is received to proceed.

Density-dependent inhibition

A phenomenon where crowded cells stop dividing.

Anchorage dependence

The requirement for cells to be attached to a substratum in order to divide.

Benign tumor

A mass of abnormal cells that remains at the original site.

Malignant tumor

A tumor that invades surrounding tissues and can spread to other parts of the body through metastasis.

MPF (maturation-promoting factor)

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