CELL CYCLE - VOCABULARY FLASHCARDS

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the Cell Cycle lecture notes.

Cell cycle

The series of growth and development steps a cell undergoes between its birth and reproduction by division into two daughter cells.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle in which the cell grows and DNA is replicated, consisting of G1, S, and G2.

G1 phase

First gap; cell grows in size and synthesizes components to prepare for DNA replication.

S phase

DNA synthesis; DNA is replicated to form sister chromatids for the upcoming division.

G2 phase

Second gap; cell grows further and prepares for mitosis.

Mitotic (M) phase

Phase where the cell divides its nucleus (mitosis) and cytoplasm (cytokinesis).

Mitosis

Nuclear division with prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Prophase

Chromosomes condense and become visible; spindle apparatus forms; nuclear envelope breaks down; nucleolus disappears.

Metaphase

Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate; kinetochores attach to spindle fibers from opposite poles.

Anaphase

Sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles; chromatids become chromosomes.

Telophase

Nuclei form around chromosomes at the poles; chromosomes decondense; spindle breaks down.

Cytokinesis

Cytoplasmic division forming two daughter cells.

GO phase

G0; resting/nondividing stage where cells are not actively preparing to divide.

G1/S checkpoint

Checkpoint at the G1/S transition that checks nutrients, growth factors, cell size, and DNA integrity before DNA replication.

G2/M checkpoint

Checkpoint ensuring DNA replication is complete and error-free; cell has adequate size and resources before mitosis.

M spindle checkpoint

Also called the spindle assembly checkpoint; ensures all kinetochores are attached to spindle fibers before anaphase.

APC/C

Anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome; ubiquitin ligase that triggers anaphase by marking securin and cyclins for degradation.

MAD proteins

help inhibit APC/C to delay anaphase if spindle attachments are not correct.

p53 protein

Tumor suppressor that halts the cell cycle in response to DNA damage and can promote repair or apoptosis.

Rb protein

controls progression from G1 to S by regulating E2F transcription factor.

Cyclin

Regulatory proteins that activate CDKs to drive cell cycle transitions.

CDK

enzymes activated by cyclins to propel the cell cycle.

DNA replication

Process of copying the genome prior to cell division.

DNA damage

Any change to DNA detected by checkpoints that may pause progression and trigger repair.