Day 2 Cell Cycle & Mitosis

chromatin

DNA plus associated proteins, including histones. Chromatin makes up chromosomes

gene

DNA sequence that specifies a functional RNA or a protein through an RNA intermediate

allele

version of gene

chromosome

An organized DNA–protein structure. Before replication it contains one DNA double helix; after replication it contains two, one in each sister chromatid

eukaryotic cell cycle

life cycle of a cell and it alternates Interphase with Mitotic Phase

sister chromatids

The two copies of one duplicated chromosome, normally identical in DNA sequence and held together until anaphase

centromere

a region made of highly condensed chromatin

kinetochore

protein complex assembled there that attaches to spindle microtubules at the centromere

locus

particular location on a chromosome, such as the position of a gene

diploid

2n, two chromosome sets

haploid

n, one set

interphase

G1, S, and G2. Cells growth stage; DNA replicates during S phase. Occupies about 90% of the cell cycle

m phase and mitosis

phase includes mitosis (division of the nucleus) and cytokinesis

cytokinesis

Division of the cytoplasm into daughter cells. Animals form a cleavage furrow; plants build a cell plate

cell cycle checkpoint

control mechanism that checks whether a cell is ready to move to the next stage. If a problem is detected, it can pause the cycle to allow repairs or apoptosis (cell death)

cancer

uncontrolled cell growth, mutation-driven