Unit 4: Cell Differentiation

Stem cell

unspecialized cell that can give rise to one or more types of specialized cells

Specialized cell

cell that is uniquely suited to performing a particular function

Mitosis

Cell division into two identical cells

Cancer

A disease in which some body cells grow and divide uncontrollably, eventually causing damage

Parent cell

original cell before cell division

Daughter cell

the two new cells that result from mitosis

Interphase

period of the cell cycle between cell divisions

Cell

Basic unit of life

Differentiation

process in which cells become specialized in structure and function

Unipotent

Can only become one type of cell

Pluripotent

Cells that are capable of developing into any cell type

DNA

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

Nucleotide

monomer of nucleic acids, makes up DNA

Base pairs

Any of the pairs formed between complimentary bases in the two nucleotide chains of DNA, such as A-T and C-G (DNA); A-U and C-G (RNA)

Codon

A specific sequence of three adjacent bases on a strand of DNA or RNA that provides genetic code information for a particular amino acid

Nucleus

A membrane bound part of the cell containing DNA

Mutation

change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information

Chromosome

A threadlike, gene-carrying structure found in the nucleus. Each chromosome consists of one very long DNA molecule and associated proteins.

Gene

A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait

Transciption

process in which part of the nucleotide sequence of DNA is copied into a complementary sequence in RNA

Translation

Process by which RNA is decoded and a protein is produced

Amino Acid

Building blocks of proteins; form together to make polypeptides

Ribosome

Site of protein synthesis

Polypeptide

A polymer (chain) of many amino acids linked together by bonds

Cell Cycle

The regular sequence of growth and division that cells undergo