The Cell Cycle and Cell Division

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the cell cycle, cell division, and the regulation of these processes.

Cell Cycle

The life of a cell, consisting of its formation and division into two daughter cells.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle in which the cell grows and prepares for division, accounting for 90% of the cycle.

Mitotic Phase (M phase)

The phase where the cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

G1 Phase

The first gap phase where the cell grows and doubles its number of organelles.

S Phase

The synthesis phase where DNA is replicated, producing two sister chromatids.

G2 Phase

The second gap phase where the cell continues to grow and prepares for cell division.

Centrosome

An organelle that organizes microtubules into the mitotic spindle.

Mitosis

The division of the nucleus during the mitotic phase.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm, resulting in two daughter cells.

Chromatin

The material of which chromosomes are composed, which condenses into discrete chromosomes during prophase.

Centromere

The narrow region of a chromosome where two sister chromatids are joined.

Kinetochore

A protein structure at the centromere that attaches to microtubules during cell division.

Metaphase Plate

The plane where chromosomes align during metaphase.

Telophase

The phase of mitosis where the nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes and the chromosomes begin to uncondense.

Cleavage Furrow

The structure that forms in animal cells during cytokinesis to split the cell into two.

Cell Plate

The structure that forms in plant cells during cytokinesis to separate the cytoplasm of two daughter cells.

Diploid Cell

A cell that contains two sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent.

Somatic Cells

Diploid cells that make up all body cells except reproductive cells.

Binary Fission

The method of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes where a single circular chromosome replicates and the cell divides.

Cell Cycle Control System

A system that directs the sequential events of the cell cycle regulated by checkpoints.

G1 Checkpoint

The checkpoint that verifies if a cell has grown adequately and has enough resources before proceeding to the next phase.

Go Phase

A non-dividing state that cells may enter if they do not receive a go-ahead signal at the G1 checkpoint.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that occurs if a cell's DNA cannot be repaired.

Density-dependent Inhibition

The process by which crowded cells stop dividing to prevent overgrowth.

Mitosis-promoting Factor (MPF)

A complex formed by mitotic cyclins and CDKs that signals a cell to enter mitosis.

Proto-oncogenes

Genes that code for proteins promoting cell cycle progression.

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes that code for proteins inhibiting the cell cycle and promoting apoptosis.

Oncogenes

Mutated proto-oncogenes that overstimulate cell division.

p53

A tumor suppressor gene involved in regulating the cell cycle, particularly at the G1 and G2 checkpoints.