Cell Division and the Cell Cycle

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on cell division and the cell cycle.

Cell Division

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

Cell Cycle

The life of a cell from its formation until its division, consisting of interphase and mitotic phase.

Meiosis

A special type of cell division that produces reproductive cells (sperm and eggs) with half the number of chromosomes.

Chromatin

A complex of DNA and protein that condenses to form chromosomes during cell division.

Somatic Cells

Nonreproductive cells that have two sets of chromosomes.

Gametes

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

Centromere

The narrow waist of a duplicated chromosome where sister chromatids are joined.

Sister Chromatids

Joined copies of the original chromosome formed after DNA replication.

Interphase

The stage of the cell cycle where the cell grows and duplicates its DNA, comprising G1, S, and G2 phases.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that is divided into five phases: Prophase, Prometaphase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.

Mitotic Spindle

A structure made of microtubules that controls chromosome movement during mitosis.

Cyclins

Regulatory proteins involved in controlling the cell cycle progression.

Cyclin-dependent Kinases (Cdks)

Enzymes that, when activated by cyclins, drive the cell cycle forward.

MPF (Maturation-Promoting Factor)

A cyclin-Cdk complex that allows the cell to progress past the G2 phase.

Anchorage Dependence

The requirement of cells to be attached to a substrate in order to grow and divide.

Density-dependent Inhibition

A mechanism that stops cells from dividing when they become too crowded.

Tumor

An abnormal mass of tissue that may be benign or malignant.

Malignant Tumors

Cancerous tumors that invade surrounding tissues and can spread throughout the body.

Binary Fission

A method of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes whereby a cell divides into two genetically identical cells.

Cytokinesis

The process of division of the cytoplasm that occurs at the end of mitosis.