Cell Cycle, Regulation, and Differentiation Flashcards

Flashcards covering the cell cycle, mitosis stages, cell regulation, cancer, and stem cell types and potency.

What is Interphase in the cell cycle?

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell grows, synthesizes DNA, and prepares for division.

What happens during Prophase in mitosis?

Chromosomes become visible, and the nuclear envelope breaks down.

What happens during Metaphase in mitosis?

Chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell.

What happens during Anaphase in mitosis?

Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles of the cell.

What happens during Telophase in mitosis?

Chromosomes arrive at the poles, nuclear envelopes reform, and chromosomes decondense.

What happens during Cytokinesis?

The cytoplasm divides, resulting in two daughter cells.

How does cytokinesis differ between plant and animal cells?

In animal cells, a cleavage furrow forms; in plant cells, a cell plate forms.

What is the difference between a somatic cell and a gamete?

A somatic cell is a body cell with a full set of chromosomes (diploid), while a gamete is a sex cell (sperm/egg) with half the number of chromosomes (haploid).

What are some pros of sexual reproduction?

Increased genetic variation, which can aid in adaptation to changing environments.

What are some cons of sexual reproduction?

Requires two parents, slower process, and takes more energy.

What are some pros of asexual reproduction?

Only one parent needed, rapid reproduction, and less energy required.

What are some cons of asexual reproduction?

Lack of genetic variation, making populations vulnerable to environmental changes.

What is the difference between a benign and a malignant tumor?

A benign tumor is non-cancerous and does not spread, while a malignant tumor is cancerous and can invade other tissues (metastasize).

What controls the normal cell cycle?

The normal cell cycle is controlled by a system of regulatory proteins, including cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and checkpoints.

What is an example of an internal signal to the cell cycle?

DNA damage or spindle fiber attachment to chromosomes prior to anaphase.

What is an example of an external signal to the cell cycle?

Growth factors that stimulate cell division or density-dependent inhibition.

What happens if cells are too closely packed?

Cell division is inhibited due to contact inhibition, a type of external signal.

What normally occurs to most cells that begin to divide uncontrollably?

They typically undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death) or are recognized and destroyed by the immune system.

Define cancer.

A disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and division, often involving the formation of malignant tumors.

What is meant by a malignant tumor?

A cancerous tumor that can invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body (metastasize).

What is meant by a benign tumor?

A non-cancerous tumor that remains localized and does not spread to other parts of the body.

Define metastasize.

The process by which cancer cells spread from their original site to other parts of the body, forming new tumors.

Define carcinogen.

A substance or agent that can cause cancer.

What is differentiation?

The process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type.

What is a stem cell?

Special cells in the body that have the ability to turn into different types of cells and self-renew.

What are the two types of stem cells based on origin?

Embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.

Are embryonic stem cells totipotent, pluripotent, or multipotent?

Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent (and in early stages, totipotent).

Are adult stem cells totipotent, pluripotent, or multipotent?

Adult stem cells are multipotent.

How can stem cells be used to treat damaged tissue?

Stem cells can differentiate into the specific cell types needed to repair or replace damaged tissue.

What is a totipotent stem cell?

A stem cell that can divide and develop into any cell in the body, including cells that make up the placenta. A zygote is an example.

What is a pluripotent stem cell?

A stem cell that can turn into almost any cell type in the body, but cannot form the placenta. Found in the inner cell mass of the blastocyst.

What are induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)?

Adult cells that have been reprogrammed to act like embryonic stem cells, reducing the risk of immune rejection.

What is a multipotent stem cell?

A stem cell that can only develop into a limited number of cell types within a specific tissue or cell lineage (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells).

What is a unipotent stem cell?

A stem cell that can only differentiate into one type of cell.

How many parent cells are needed for asexual reproduction?

One parent cell is needed.

What type of asexual reproduction do prokaryotic cells use?

Prokaryotic cells use binary fission for asexual reproduction.

Are daughter cells identical or similar to the parent cell in asexual reproduction?

Daughter cells are identical to the parent cell.

How many parent cells are needed for sexual reproduction?

Two parent cells are needed.

Are daughter cells identical or similar to the parent cell in sexual reproduction?

Daughter cells are similar but not identical to the parent cell.

Define Chromosome.

A thread-like structure of DNA and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

Define Chromatid.

One of the two identical halves of a duplicated chromosome, joined at the centromere.

Define Centromere.

The constricted region of a chromosome where sister chromatids are joined.

Define Mitosis.

A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each identical to the parent cell, primarily for growth and repair.

What are sister chromatids?

Two identical copies of a chromosome joined together by a centromere.

When do sister chromatids separate?

Sister chromatids separate during Anaphase of mitosis.

During which phase do chromosomes first become visible?

Chromosomes first become visible during Prophase.

What are groups of cells that perform the same function called in multicellular organisms?

These groups of cells are called tissues.

In which phase does cell growth occur (more DNA, more organelles)?

Interphase.

When does the nucleus divide?

The nucleus divides during Mitosis.

When are chromosomes distributed equally to daughter cells?

Chromosomes are distributed equally to daughter cells during Anaphase.

When is protein production high?

Protein production is high during Interphase.

When are chromosomes duplicated/replicated?

Chromosomes are duplicated/replicated during Interphase (S phase).

When does the cytoplasm divide?

The cytoplasm divides during Cytokinesis.

Where are Embryonic Stem Cells found?

Embryos.

What is the purpose/potency of Embryonic Stem Cells?

They can become any type of cell (pluripotent/totipotent).

Where are Adult Stem Cells found?

Tissues and Organs.

What is the purpose/potency of Adult Stem Cells?

They become the same type of cell where they are found (multipotent/unipotent).