Cell Biology, Cell Division, Genetics, and Histology Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cell organelles, mitosis and meiosis stages and features, cellular junctions, simple inheritance genotypes, epithelial classifications and secretion modes, and skeletal and connective tissue histology.

Nucleus

Stores DNA; controls cell activities.

Ribosomes

Organelles that make proteins.

Rough ER

Makes and transports proteins; has ribosomes.

Smooth ER

Makes lipids and detoxifies substances.

Golgi apparatus

Modifies, packages, and ships proteins.

Mitochondria

Produces ATP (energy).

Lysosomes

Digest waste and cellular debris.

Nucleolus

Makes rRNA and assembles ribosome subunits.

Cell membrane

Controls what enters and exits the cell.

Cytoskeleton

Maintains cell shape and provides support.

Prophase

Phase of mitosis where chromosomes condense, the mitotic spindle begins forming, and the nuclear envelope and nucleolus disappear during prophase/prometaphase.

Metaphase

Phase of mitosis where chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell, and the spindle is organized and attached to chromosomes.

Anaphase

Phase of mitosis where sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles.

Telophase

Phase of mitosis where new nuclear envelopes form, nucleoli reappear, and chromosomes have one chromatid each.

Mitosis

Cell division process involving 1 division producing 2 diploid, usually identical cells with 46 chromosomes in humans; used for growth and repair.

Meiosis

Cell division process involving 2 divisions producing 4 haploid, genetically different sex cells with 23 chromosomes in humans, reducing the chromosome number by half.

Diploid ($2n$)

State having 46 chromosomes in human body cells.

Haploid ($n$)

State having 23 chromosomes in human sperm or egg cells.

Cytokinesis

Division of the cytoplasm, producing separate daughter cells.

DNA replication

Process that happens during the S phase of interphase, before mitosis.

Tight junction

Cell junction that functions as a seal.

Desmosome

Cell junction that provides strength.

Gap junction

Cell junction that functions in communication.

Hemidesmosome

Cell junction that functions as an anchor.

Adherens junction

Cell junction that functions to attach cells.

Homozygous dominant (BB)

Genotype consisting of two dominant alleles that results in a dominant trait phenotype.

Heterozygous (Bb)

Genotype consisting of one dominant and one recessive allele that results in a dominant trait phenotype.

Homozygous recessive (bb)

Genotype consisting of two recessive alleles that results in a recessive trait phenotype.

Simple epithelium

Epithelial tissue consisting of one layer.

Stratified epithelium

Epithelial tissue consisting of multiple layers.

Transitional epithelium

Epithelium found in the urinary tract.

Goblet cells

Epithelial cells that secrete mucin.

Merocrine

Glandular secretion mechanism where product is released by exocytosis and the cell remains intact (e.g., eccrine sweat glands).

Apocrine

Glandular secretion mechanism where the apical portion of the cell is released with the product (e.g., mammary glands in the classic textbook model).

Holocrine

Glandular secretion mechanism where the entire cell breaks down to release the product (e.g., sebaceous (oil) glands).

Loose connective tissue

Class of connective tissue that includes areolar, adipose, and reticular tissues.

Dense connective tissue

Class of connective tissue that includes dense regular, dense irregular, and elastic connective tissue.

Fluid connective tissue

Class of connective tissue that includes blood and lymph.

Osteon

Structural unit of compact bone, arranged around a central canal.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain bone tissue.

Osteoblasts

Cells that build new bone matrix.

Osteoclasts

Cells that break down and resorb bone.

Osteoprogenitor cells

Precursor cells that develop into osteoblasts.

Lacunae

Spaces containing osteocytes in bone and chondrocytes in cartilage.

Periosteum

Connective tissue covering the outer surface of most bones.

Perichondrium

Connective tissue surrounding most cartilage.