Cellular Reproduction Vocab

biology

chromatin

relaxed form of DNA in the nucleus of a cell

chromosomes

DNA containing structure that carries genetic material from one generation to another

nucleosomes

repeating subunit of chromatin fibers, consisting of DNA coiled around histones

cell cycle

process of cellular reproduction, occuring in 3 main stages - interphase (growth), mitosis (nuclear division), cytokinesis (cytoplasm division)

interphase

1st stage of the cell cycle, curing which a cell grows, matures, and replicates its DNA

mitosis

2nd main stage of the cell cycle during which the cells replicated DNA divides and 2 genetically identical diploid daughter cells are produced

prophase

1st stage of mitosis, during which the cell’s chromatin condenses into chromosomes

sister chromatid

structure that contains identical DNA copies and it formed during DNA replication

centromere

cell structure that joins 2 sister chromatids

spindle apparatus

structure made of spindle fibers, centrioles, and aster fibers that is involved in moving and organizing chromosomes before the cell divides

metaphase

2nd stage of mitosis in which motor proteins pull sister chromatids to the cell’s equator

anaphase

3rd stage of mitosis in which sister chromatids are pulled apart and microtubules, along with motor proteins, move the chromosomes to opposite poles of the cell

telophase

last stage of mitosis in which nucleoli reappear. 2 new nuclear membranes begin to form, but the cell has not completely divided

cytokinesis

3rd main stage of cell cycle, during which the cell’s cytoplasm divides, creating a new cell

cyclins

1 of the specific proteins that regulates the cell cycles

cyclin-dependent kinase

enzyme to which cyclin binds during interphase and mitosis, triggering and controlling activities during the cell cycle

apoptosis

programmed cell death

cancer

uncontrolled growth and divisions of cells that can be caused by changes in control of the cell cycle and also may be caused by environmental factors

carcinogen

cancer-causing substance