cell division

Zygote

The single fertilized egg that begins most multicellular life.

Genome

The full collection of an organism’s DNA, present in nearly all cells of a multicellular animal.

Chromosomes

Structures packed with DNA, humans have 23 pairs (46 total).

Cell Cycle

An ordered series of events involving cell growth and division that produces two new daughter cells.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell grows and DNA is replicated.

Mitotic Phase

The phase in which replicated DNA and cytoplasmic contents are separated.

Mitosis

A process where duplicated chromosomes are aligned, separated into two identical cells.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis where chromosomes condense and the mitotic spindle starts to form.

Metaphase

A phase of mitosis where chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis where sister chromatids are pulled toward opposite ends of the cell.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis where chromosomes begin to de-condense and the nuclear membrane re-forms.

Cytokinesis

The process that splits the cell into two identical daughter cells.

G0 Phase

A quiescent state where cells are not actively dividing.

Internal Checkpoints

Points in the cell cycle that ensure daughter cells are exact duplicates of the parent cell.

Positive Regulation of the Cell Cycle

Regulation by proteins that promote cell cycle progress, such as cyclins and Cdks.

Negative Regulation of the Cell Cycle

Regulation by proteins that prevent cell cycle progression until issues are resolved.

Proto-oncogenes

Genes that code for positive cell-cycle regulators, can become oncogenes when mutated.

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes that code for negative regulators that prevent uncontrolled cell division.