Cellular Reproduction: Mitosis

Vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture on cellular reproduction and mitosis.

Cell division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two daughter cells.

Prokaryotic cell

A cell that has a single, circular chromosome and does not have a nucleus.

Eukaryotic chromosome

A structure containing linear DNA bound to proteins, significantly compacted to fit within a nucleus.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell prepares for division; includes G1, S, and G2 phases.

Mitosis

The process of dividing the cell nucleus to produce two daughter nuclei.

Sister chromatids

Two identical copies of a single chromosome, joined at the centromere.

Centromere

The region of a chromosome where sister chromatids are joined and where the spindle fibers attach during mitosis.

Centrosome

An organelle that serves as a microtubule-organizing center and is involved in cell division.

Checkpoint proteins

Proteins that regulate the progress of the cell cycle by monitoring and repairing DNA before division.

Growth factors

Chemical signals released by cells that stimulate cellular division and growth.

Differentiation

The process by which daughter cells become specialized for specific functions.

G0 phase

A resting phase in the cell cycle where cells are not actively preparing to divide.

PPMAT

An acronym representing the phases of mitosis: Prophase, Prometaphase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.

Cleavage furrow

The indentation that begins the process of cytokinesis in animal cells, leading to cell division.

Microtubules

Hollow tubes that help guide organelle movement, pull chromosomes apart during division, and are structural components of cilia and flagella.

Microfilaments

Thin cytoskeletal fibers made of actin that assist in cell movement and division.

Intermediate filaments

Cytoskeletal fibers that provide structural support and maintain cell shape.

cell cycle of eukaryotik cells

The series of events that take place in a eukaryotic cell leading to its division and replication, typically divided into four main phases: G1, S, G2, and M.

G1 phase

The first phase of the cell cycle where the cell grows, synthesizes proteins, and prepares for DNA replication.

S Phase

The synthesis phase of the cell cycle where DNA is replicated, resulting in two identical copies of each chromosome.

G2 phase

cells replenish energy, synthesize proteins necessary for chromosome manipulation, and prepare for mitosis.

Prophase

first phase of mitosis where chromatids condense and the nuclear envelope breaks down.

prometaphase

second stage of mitosis where the chromosomes become fully condensed and the spindle fibers attach to the kinetochores.

metaphase

3rd stage of mitosis where chromosomes align at the cell's equatorial plate.

anaphase

4th stage of mitosis where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell.

telophase

5th stage of mitosis where the chromosomes de-condense and nuclear envelopes reform around the separated chromatid sets.

centrosome

the mitotic spindle for chromosome movement.

centromere

Region of the chromosome where sister chromatids are joined together and where the spindle fibers attach during mitosis.

Nondisjunction errors

failure of homologous chromosomes to separate properly during meiosis

heredity

the transmission of traits from one generation to the next.

Genetics

the scientific study of heredity.

gene

segment of DNA coding for specific traits.

alleles

different versions of a gene at the same locus on homologous chromosomes.

Homozygous

having two identical alleles for a specific gene.

heterozygous

having two different alleles for a particular gene

Genotype

 refers to the genetic makeup (alleles) of an organism.

phenotype

observable traits or characteristics.

Mendelian Genetics

a set of principles relating to inheritance patterns established by Gregor Mendel, which explains how traits are passed from parents to offspring through dominant and recessive alleles.