BI110 Lecture 16 - Cell Cycle and Mitosis

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering vocabulary and key concepts related to cell growth, division, and the cell cycle from the lecture.

Cell Growth & Division

All cells originate from pre-existing cells through the process of cell division.

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction without the fusion of gametes, seen in organisms like bacteria and fungi.

Binary Fission

A method of asexual reproduction in bacteria where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Haploid (n)

Cells with one complete set of chromosomes.

Diploid (2n)

Cells with two complete sets of chromosomes; humans are diploid (2n=46).

Sister Chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome that are joined together at the centromere.

Interphase

The stage of the cell cycle where the cell grows and DNA is replicated.

G1 Phase

The first gap phase in interphase where the cell grows and performs normal functions.

S Phase

Synthesis phase where DNA replication occurs.

G2 Phase

The second gap phase in which the cell prepares for mitosis.

Mitotic Cell Cycle

The series of stages (prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase) that lead to cell division.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis where chromosomes condense and the spindle apparatus begins to form.

Prometaphase

Stage of mitosis where the nuclear envelope breaks down and spindle fibers attach to kinetochores.

Metaphase

Stage of mitosis where chromosomes line up at the spindle midpoint.

Anaphase

Stage of mitosis where sister chromatids are separated and move to opposite poles.

Telophase

Final stage of mitosis where chromosomes decondense and the nuclear envelope reforms.

Cytokinesis

Process of dividing the cytoplasm and its contents into two daughter cells.

Centrosome

Organelle that serves as the main microtubule organizing center of the cell.

Microtubules

Cytoskeletal structures that assist in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus.

Kinetochore

A protein structure on the chromosome where spindle fibers attach.

Cell Cycle Control

Regulation of the progression through the cell cycle mediated by certain proteins.

Cyclins

Proteins that regulate the cell cycle by activating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).

CDKs (Cyclin-dependent Kinases)

Enzymes that, when activated by cyclins, phosphorylate target proteins to drive the cell cycle forward.

Checkpoints

Regulatory points in the cell cycle that ensure proper division and function of the cell.

Contact Inhibition

Mechanism that prevents cells from dividing when they become too crowded.

Asymmetric Cell Division

A type of cell division where one cell remains a stem cell and the other becomes a differentiated cell.

Cellular Senescence

The process by which cells lose their ability to divide and grow over time.

Tumor

An abnormal growth of cells that can disrupt normal body functions.

Oncogenes

Mutated genes that contribute to the formation of cancers.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death, an important process for normal development and maintaining tissue homeostasis.

DNA Structure

DNA is made of nucleotides that consist of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

Base Pairing

The specific hydrogen bonding between nitrogenous bases (A-T, G-C) that stabilizes the DNA double helix.

Complementary Strands

The two strands of DNA that are complementary to each other in base pairing.

Antiparallel Strands

The orientation of the two strands of DNA running in opposite directions.

Chargaff's Rules

The observation that the amount of adenine equals thymine, and guanine equals cytosine in DNA.

Polynucleotide Chain

A chain of nucleotides linked together by phosphodiester bonds, forming DNA.

Deoxyribose

The sugar found in DNA nucleotides.