Cell Cycle Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding the cell cycle, its importance, the stages of mitosis, and the regulation of cell division.

What distinguishes living organisms from nonliving matter?

The ability of organisms to produce more of their own kind through cell division.

What is the cell cycle?

The series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and the duplication of its DNA.

Why is the cell cycle important?

It is crucial for the development of embryos, growth, repair, and the production of genetically identical cells.

What is the outcome of most cell division?

Most cell division results in genetically identical daughter cells.

What type of division produces gametes?

Meiosis, which yields nonidentical daughter cells.

What is the structure that contains a cell's genetic material?

Chromosomes, which are made up of chromatin, a complex of DNA and protein.

What are the two types of cells in terms of chromosome count?

Somatic cells have two sets of chromosomes, while gametes have half as many.

What occurs during anaphase of mitosis?

Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles of the cell.

What is cytokinesis?

The division of the cytoplasm to form two daughter cells.

What regulates the cell cycle?

A molecular control system that includes checkpoints to ensure proper cell division.

What do cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases do?

They are regulatory proteins involved in controlling the cell cycle.

What happens if a cell does not receive a go-ahead signal at a checkpoint?

The cell will exit the cycle, entering a nondividing state called G0 phase.

What defines a benign tumor?

A mass of abnormal cells that remains at the original site.

What is metastasis?

The spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.

In which phase of mitosis do chromosomes align along the equator of the cell?

Metaphase.

What is the primary function of the mitotic spindle?

To control chromosome movement during mitosis.

What mechanism do cancer cells exhibit regarding cell division?

They do not respond to normal regulatory mechanisms and may divide indefinitely.