Cell Cycle Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts from the cell cycle lecture notes, aiding in the review and understanding of critical biological processes.

Cell Division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells, used for reproduction, growth, and repair.

Somatic Cell

A body cell that is diploid (2n), having 46 chromosomes in humans.

Gamete

A haploid cell (n), such as a sperm or egg, with 23 chromosomes in humans.

Chromatin

Long, thin fiber of DNA that is the functioning form of genetic material.

Chromatid

Each of the two identical halves of a duplicated chromosome.

Mitosis

The process of nuclear division that results in two identical daughter cells.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm that occurs after mitosis, resulting in two distinct cells.

Meiosis

A process used to produce gametes that reduces the chromosome number from diploid to haploid.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that is a normal part of growth and development.

Cyclins

Regulatory proteins that control the progression of the cell cycle by activating cyclin-dependent kinases.

Cyclin-dependent Kinases (Cdks)

Proteins that, when activated by cyclins, regulate the cell cycle progression.

Checkpoints

Critical points in the cell cycle where the cell assesses whether to proceed with division.

Density-dependent Inhibition

A phenomenon in which crowded cells stop dividing.

Anchorage Dependence

The requirement that cells must be attached to a substratum in order to divide.

Cancer Cells

Cells that do not respond to normal control mechanisms, often leading to uncontrolled growth and tumor formation.

Binary Fission

A simple form of cell division in prokaryotes where the chromosome replicates and the cell splits into two identical cells.