The cell

What is the cell cycle?

The cell cycle is the series of phases that a cell goes through from its formation to its division.

What are the main stages of the cell cycle?

The main stages of the cell cycle include interphase (G1, S, G2 phases) and mitotic phase (M).

What happens during the G1 phase?

During the G1 phase, the cell grows and carries out normal metabolic processes.

What occurs during the S phase?

During the S phase, DNA replication occurs, resulting in two identical sets of chromosomes.

What is the G2 phase characterized by?

The G2 phase is characterized by further cell growth and preparation for mitosis, including the synthesis of proteins needed for division.

What happens during the mitotic phase?

During the mitotic phase, the cell divides into two daughter cells through the processes of mitosis and cytokinesis.

What role does cyclin play in the cell cycle?

Cyclins are proteins that help regulate the cell cycle by activating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).

What is the role of checkpoints in the cell cycle?

Checkpoints are critical control points in the cell cycle that ensure the cell is ready to proceed to the next phase.

What can happen if a cell fails to pass a checkpoint?

If a cell fails to pass a checkpoint, it may undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death) or enter a resting state (G0 phase).

What is the significance of the cell cycle in cancer?

The cell cycle is significant in cancer as uncontrolled cell division can lead to tumor formation.

Fill in the blank: During the __________ phase of the cell cycle, DNA replication occurs, resulting in two identical sets of chromosomes.

S

Fill in the blank: During the __________ phase of mitosis, the chromosomes are separated and pulled to opposite poles of the cell.

anaphase

Fill in the blank: The stage of mitosis where the nuclear envelope breaks down and the spindle fibers attach to chromosomes is called __________.

prometaphase

What is mitosis?

Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, crucial for growth and repair of tissues.

What is meiosis?

Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing four genetically diverse gametes (sperm or eggs).

Fill in the blank: During __________, homologous chromosomes are separated and move to opposite poles of the cell.

Meiosis I

What is Meiosis?

Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms. It consists of two rounds of division: Meiosis I and Meiosis II. In Meiosis I, homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange genetic material through a process called crossing over, resulting in genetic diversity. The homologous chromosomes are then separated into two daughter cells. In Meiosis II, the sister chromatids of each chromosome are separated, leading to a total of four genetically diverse gametes, each with half the chromosome number of the original cell. This process is essential for sexual reproduction and contributes to genetic variation in offspring.

Fill in the blank: Meiosis consists of two main stages: __________ and __________.

Meiosis I, Meiosis II.