biology 2

Mitosis

The process by which cells divide to form two daughter cells.

Uncontrolled mitosis

Can lead to cancer.

Interphase

The phase in which everything doubles before mitosis.

Prophase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes condense.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes line up along the equator of the cell.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromatids are pulled to opposite poles of the cell by cell fibers.

Telophase

The stage of mitosis where two nuclei form.

Cytokinesis

The process where the cytoplasm splits into two, completing cell division.

Differentiation

The process by which a stem cell changes to become specialized.

Sperm cell

A specialized cell that delivers genetic material to an egg; has a flagellum and many mitochondria.

Cerebral Cortex

Region of the brain responsible for consciousness, memory, and language.

Cerebellum

Region of the brain that controls balance and coordination.

Hypothalamus

Brain region that regulates body temperature.

Brain Stem

Connects the brain to the spinal cord.

Medulla

Controls unconscious activities like breathing.

Nervous system

Responsible for coordinating behaviors and responding to surroundings.

Synapse

The gap between two nerve cells where neurotransmitters are released.

Reflexes

Rapid automatic responses to stimuli that decrease the chance of injury.

Cornea

Transparent part of the eye where light first hits, causing refraction.

Iris

Muscle that controls the size of the pupil.

Pupil

The gap in the iris that allows light to pass through to the lens.

Lens (eye)

Refracts light and can change shape to focus light on the retina.

Retina

Contains cone cells for color sensitivity and rod cells for low light sensitivity.

Fovea

Spot on the retina with only cone cells where light is focused.

Ciliary muscle

Regulates the shape of the lens for focusing on objects at different distances.

Eye problems

Conditions such as cataracts, color blindness, longsightedness, and short-sightedness.

Stem cells

Cells that can divide by mitosis and differentiate into specialized cells.

Embryonic stem cells

Stem cells obtained from embryos that can differentiate into various cell types.

Adult stem cells

Stem cells found in adults, such as in bone marrow, limited to differentiating into a few cell types.

Cons of stem cell research

Concerns include limited supply of embryonic cells, rejection, virus transmission, and ethical issues.