Cell Cycle

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from 'The Cell Cycle' lecture.

Mitosis

The process by which a parent cell divides to form two genetically identical daughter cells.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell grows and replicates its DNA in preparation for division.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm into two daughter cells after mitosis.

Genome

The complete set of genetic material in a cell, packaged into chromosomes.

Chromosome

A structure made of DNA and proteins that contains the genetic information of an organism.

Somatic cells

Any cells of the body except sperm and egg cells, which contain two sets of chromosomes.

Gametes

Reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that contain half the number of chromosomes of somatic cells.

Cell Cycle

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

Cyclins

Regulatory proteins whose levels fluctuate in the cell cycle and are required for the cell cycle control system.

Cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks)

Enzymes that, when activated by cyclins, regulate the progression of the cell cycle.

G1 phase

The first phase of interphase where the cell grows and synthesizes proteins.

S phase

The phase of interphase where DNA synthesis occurs, leading to the duplication of chromosomes.

G2 phase

The second gap phase of interphase, where the cell prepares for mitosis.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that may occur if cells do not receive go-ahead signals at checkpoints.

Density-dependent inhibition

A phenomenon where crowded cells stop dividing.

Anchorage dependence

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

Benign tumor

A mass of abnormal cells that remains at the original site and typically does not cause serious problems.

Malignant tumor

A mass of cancerous cells that invade surrounding tissues and may metastasize.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body, forming new tumors.