Chapter 4: Cell Reproduction

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering cell reproduction, nucleic acids, DNA replication, prokaryotic binary fusion, eukaryotic cell cycle stages, mitosis, cytokinesis, and cancer.

Nucleotides

The monomers that make up both DNA and RNA molecules.

Deoxyribose

The sugar component used to form DNA.

Ribose

The sugar component used to form RNA.

Purines

Nitrogenous bases composed of two carbon ring structures, which include adenine and guanine.

Pyrimidines

Nitrogenous bases composed of a single carbon ring structure, which include cytosine and thymine.

Phosphodiester Bond

A linkage where the $5$ carbon of a sugar is attached to phosphate groups and the $3$ carbon is attached to a hydroxyl group, formed when a phosphate group attaches to a hydroxyl group on another nucleotide.

DNA Double Helix

A double helix structure where the $5'$ carbon end and $3'$ carbon end of different polymers match, sugar/phosphate regions lie on the outside of the strands, and adenine pairs with thymine ($A-T$) while guanine pairs with cytosine ($G-C$).

Plasmids

Small loops of DNA found in prokaryotes that are not essential for growth and can be exchanged between bacteria.

Eukaryotic Genomes

Genomes consisting of several double-stranded linear DNA molecules.

Chromosomes

Thread-like structures made of DNA and proteins that carry out genetic information.

Chromatin

The process where short stretches of DNA wrap around the core of $8$ histone proteins along the entire length of the chromosomes.

Origins of Replication

Specific nucleotide sequences where DNA replication begins.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the DNA helix by breaking hydrogen bonds, revealing the nucleotide bases and forming replication forks.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that binds to the replication fork, replicates the original strand into an exact replica, and adds DNA nucleotides to the $3'$ end of the new strand.

Leading Strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized continuously during replication.

Okazaki Fragments

Small synthesized pieces of DNA that make up the lagging strand during replication.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that puts Okazaki fragments together during DNA replication.

DNA Replication Fork Diagram

A diagram illustrating the components of DNA replication, including leading and lagging strands, helicase, DNA polymerase, DNA ligase, primase, primers, topoisomerase, and single strand binding proteins.

Binary Fusion

The method of reproduction in prokaryotic cells where the cell replicates DNA, attaches DNA to the inside of the cell membrane, elongates, and splits the cytoplasm as new cell walls form.

G1 Phase

A phase of the eukaryotic cell cycle invisible under a microscope, which prepares the cell for reproduction by checking for sufficient energy, size, and organizing proteins.

S Phase

The cell cycle phase that results in two identical copies of each chromosome, which then attach at the center.

G2 Phase

A cell cycle break phase used to replenish energy, synthesize proteins, and ensure there is no damaged DNA that has been replicated.

M Phase

The cell cycle phase where duplicated chromosomes are aligned and sister chromatids are moved to opposite poles of the cell, comprising nuclear division (mitosis).

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis where spindle microtubules attach the spindle poles on opposite sides of the cell to the center of the chromosomes.

Metaphase

The second stage of mitosis where chromosomes attach to their sister chromosome at the equator of the cell and complete another checkpoint.

Anaphase

The third stage of mitosis where the two strands of the chromosome separate and get pulled to the spindle tubes as the cell begins to elongate.

Telophase

The fourth stage of mitosis where chromosomes reach the poles, mitotic spindles break down into monomers, and two nuclear envelopes form around each chromosome to create two nuclei.

Cytokinesis

The physical separation of the cytoplasmic components during cell division.

Cleavage Furrow

The cytokinesis mechanism in animal cells where actin filaments pull the plasma membrane of the cell inward.

Plant Cytokinesis

The cytokinesis mechanism in plant cells where vessels of enzymes and glucose form between nuclei and divide the cells once large enough.

Stages of Mitosis

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.

Cancer

A biological state characterized by uncontrolled accumulation of non-functioning cells, spread of these cells to nearby tissue, and accumulation of DNA mutations that alter cell behavior.