Cell Division and Cloning Flashcards

Flashcards reviewing key concepts from the cell division and cloning lecture.

Mitosis

The division of somatic cells where the mother cell divides to form two identical daughter cells.

Somatic cells

Cells found in the body (not sex cells).

Gametes/Sex cells

Female eggs and male sperm.

Chromosomes

Thread-like structures found in the cell nucleus that transfer hereditary characteristics.

Chromatin network

The mass of threads that chromosomes appear as when the cell is not dividing.

DNA

Nucleic acid that is wrapped around proteins called histones.

Genes

DNA segments on a chromosome that control specific hereditary characteristics.

DNA replication

The process ensuring both daughter cells have the same DNA and amount of DNA.

Chromatids

Two identical units of a chromosome after replication, joined by a centromere.

G1 phase

The phase where the cell grows and prepares for division.

S phase

The phase where the cell copies its DNA.

G2 phase

The phase where the cell checks its duplicated chromosomes and prepares for division.

M phase

The phase where the cell divides into two new cells through mitosis and cytokinesis.

Interphase

The period between mitotic divisions where the cell grows, replicates chromosomes, and prepares for division.

Cancer

A result of uncontrolled mitotic division of body cells.

Tumour

A mass of tissue formed by continuous cell division.

Benign tumour

A tumour that does not penetrate the tissue and is usually enclosed in a capsule.

Malignant tumour

A tumour that spreads between cells of a tissue and damages them.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells through the blood.

Carcinoma

Cancer that forms in epithelial tissue.

Sarcomas

Rare cancers that develop in bones and soft tissues.

Carcinogens

Substances that can cause cancer.

Cancer Treatment - Surgical Removal

The removal of tumours surgically.

Cancer Treatment - Chemotherapy

Using chemicals to attack fast-growing cells.

Cancer Treatment - Radiotherapy

Using radiation to attack fast-growing cells.

Cloning

Genetically identical copies of a biological entity.

Propagation

Using cut-offs of vegetative parts of a plant to make a new plant.

Tissue culture

Placing buds on a growth medium to develop a small plant.

Cloning in animals

Cells are already differentiated and specialized cells, that cannot go through mitosis in a petri dish.

Cloning

The process of creating an exact copy of another gene, cell, tissue, or organism.

Embryonic nuclear transfer

Involves cells being extracted from a young embryo and treated to develop into separate embryos, which are then placed into the uterus.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer

Scientists transfer genetic material from the nucleus of a donor adult cell to an egg without a nucleus.

Stem cell

A relatively unspecialized cell that can divide mitotically indefinitely and differentiate into specialized cells.

Embryonic stem cells

Cells obtained from the blastula stage of an embryo that can differentiate into any type of specialized cell.

Mature stem cells

Cells obtained from various organs that cannot necessarily differentiate into any type of specialized cell.

Latest Stem Cell Research Breakthrough (2007)

Normal, already differentiated cells taken from the skin and induced to become "embryonic stem cells" again by adding 4 genes.