Cell Cycle and Mitosis

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to the cell cycle and mitosis, focusing on definitions and key characteristics.

Cell Cycle

A series of stages that a cell goes through to divide and replicate.

Interphase

The stage of the cell cycle where the cell grows and DNA is replicated, divided into G1, S, and G2 phases.

Mitosis

The part of the cell cycle where the cell divides its copied DNA and cytoplasm to form two identical daughter cells.

G1 Phase

The first gap phase of interphase, where the cell grows and synthesizes proteins and organelles.

S Phase

The synthesis phase of interphase where DNA replication occurs.

G2 Phase

The second gap phase of interphase, where the cell prepares for division and duplicates organelles.

Cytokinesis

The process of dividing the cytoplasm and organelles of a cell after mitosis.

Checkpoints

Regulatory pathways in the cell cycle that ensure proper function and prevent errors in division.

p53 protein

A protein that detects DNA damage and can halt the cycle to trigger repair or apoptosis.

Cyclins

Regulatory proteins that fluctuate in concentration to control the cell cycle progression.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that occurs in cells with severe DNA damage or during certain developmental processes.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes are lined up at the cell's equator before being separated.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell.

G0 Phase

A resting state where cells exit the cycle and do not divide under normal conditions.

Aneuploidy

An abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell, often resulting from errors during mitosis.

Growth Factors

External signals that can stimulate cell division by promoting cyclin production.

Spindle Checkpoint

A control mechanism that ensures proper chromosome separation during mitosis.

RB Protein

A protein that helps regulate the cell cycle by blocking progression to S phase until the cell is ready.

CDK (Cyclin-dependent kinase)

An enzyme that, when activated by cyclins, phosphorylates target proteins to drive the cell cycle forward.

Cleavage Furrow

The indentation that forms in an animal cell's membrane during cytokinesis to separate the daughter cells.