Unit 4: Cell Division

Mitosis

cell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes

Meiosis

Cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms

Prophase

Chromosomes become visable, nuclear envelop dissolves, spindle forms

Metaphase

Chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell

Anaphase

Phase of mitosis in which the chromosomes separate and move to opposite ends of the cell

Telophase

After the chromosome seperates, the cell seals off, Final Phase of Mitosis.

Cytokinesis

division of the cytoplasm

Spindle fibers

help pull apart the cell during replication and are made up of microtubules

Chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

Chromatin

unwound DNA

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.

parent cell

original cell before cell division

Daughter cells

the two new cells that result from mitosis and cytokinesis

Cell cycle

series of events that cells go through as they grow and divide

Interphase

Cell grows, performs its normal functions, and prepares for division

Centromere

Place in the middle that holds a pair of chromatids

Chromatids

One part of a chromosome

asexual reproduction

Process by which a single parent reproduces by itself

Budding

Asexual reproduction in which a part of the parent organism pinches off and forms a new organism

Fragmentation

A means of asexual reproduction whereby a single parent breaks into parts that regenerate into whole new individuals.

binary fission

A form of asexual reproduction in single-celled organisms by which one cell divides into two cells of the same size

somatic cells

body cells

Gametes

sex cells