Cell Cycle and Cell Division

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the cell cycle and cell division lecture notes.

Cell Cycle

Sequential phases of events wherein the parent cell divides and replicates DNA materials to produce two daughter cells.

Cell Division

Also known as cell reproduction; the process that allows organisms to reproduce, grow, and repair tissues.

Asexual Reproduction

The production of offspring from a single parent without the involvement of gametes.

Budding

A type of asexual reproduction where a new organism develops from an outgrowth or bud from the parent.

Binary Fission

A simple form of cell division seen in bacteria where a single cell divides into two equal halves.

Chromosomes

Organized structures where DNA is tightly coiled, composed of histones and contains genetic information.

Sister Chromatids

Two identical copies of a chromosome connected by a centromere.

Telomeres

Structures at the ends of DNA molecules that prevent chromosomes from sticking together and preserve genetic information.

Cyclin

A group of proteins that activate kinases to help cells progress through different stages of the cell cycle.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that eliminates cells that are no longer functioning.

Tumor

A solid mass of cells that can be benign (harmless) or malignant (cancerous).

Oncogenes

Mutated genes that accelerate the cell cycle and contribute to cancer development.

Gap Zero (G0)

A phase where cells do not divide but continue performing normal functions, often seen in highly specialized cells.

Contact Inhibition

A regulatory mechanism where a cell stops dividing when it comes into contact with neighboring cells.

Erythropoietin

A hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells in response to low oxygen levels.

Karyotype

An individual’s complete set of chromosomes; used to visualize chromosomes for abnormalities.

Histones

Proteins associated with DNA that help package it into a compact structure.

Cytokinesis

The process of dividing the cytoplasm of a cell, resulting in two daughter cells.

Mitotic Spindle

A structure made of microtubules that segregates chromosomes during cell division.

Kinase

An enzyme that transfers phosphate groups; plays a key role in cell cycle regulation.

G1 Phase

The first gap phase of the cell cycle, where cells grow and perform normal functions before DNA synthesis.

Mitosis

The process of nuclear division that results in two identical daughter nuclei.

Genetic Mutations

Changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to abnormal cell function and contribute to cancer.