7.3: Mitotic Phase - Mitosis and Cytokinesis (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to mitosis and cytokinesis as described in the provided notes.

DNA

Molecule carrying genetic information; replicated prior to cell division to form sister chromatids.

Chromatin

DNA in a grainy form within the nucleus when a cell is not dividing; condenses into chromosomes before division.

Chromosome

Condensed, X-shaped structure formed after DNA replication, consisting of two sister chromatids.

Sister chromatids

Two identical copies of a chromosome held together at the centromere; later separated during mitosis.

Centromere

Region where sister chromatids are joined and where kinetochores attach during mitosis.

Kinetochores

Protein structures at the centromere that attach spindle microtubules to chromosomes.

Kinetochore

Protein complex at the centromere that serves as the attachment point for spindle fibers.

Mitosis

Nuclear division that separates duplicated chromosomes into two nuclei; includes prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Spindle

Microtubule-based structure that organizes and separates chromosomes during mitosis.

Microtubules

Fibers forming the spindle that attach to kinetochores and help move chromosomes.

Centrioles

Organelles in animal cells that organize the spindle and move to opposite poles during prophase.

Prophase

First and longest phase of mitosis; chromatin condenses into chromosomes and the nuclear envelope breaks down; spindle forms.

Prometaphase

Substage where spindle attaches to kinetochores after the nuclear envelope breaks down.

Metaphase

Stage in which chromosomes align at the cell’s equator; kinetochores attach to spindle fibers from opposite poles.

Anaphase

Stage where sister chromatids separate and are pulled to opposite poles; centromeres divide.

Telophase

Chromosomes reach the poles, decondense into chromatin, and nuclear envelopes reform; spindles disappear.

Cytokinesis

Cytoplasmic division that splits the cell into two; mechanism differs in animal (cleavage furrow) vs plant (cell plate) cells.

Cleavage furrow

Indentation formed by a contractile actin ring in animal cells that pinches the cell membrane to divide the cytoplasm.

Cell plate

In plant cells, vesicles coalesce at the center to form a plate that becomes separating cell walls and membranes.

Non-kinetochore spindles

Spindle fibers that do not attach to kinetochores but help elongate the cell during mitosis.

Chromatid

One of the two identical copies of a replicated chromosome; becomes a separate chromosome when pulled apart.

Condensation

Process by which chromatin coils into visible chromosomes during prophase.

Decondense

Process by which chromosomes return to less condensed chromatin form during telophase.

Equator

The central plane of the cell where chromosomes align during metaphase.

Daughter cells

The two genetically identical cells produced after mitosis and cytokinesis.