cyclins
a family of several different proteins that are produced in different amounts during different phases of the cell cycle so that they can bind to and regulate cyclin-dependent kinases, thus cueing the progression of the cell cycle
cyclin-dependent kinases
an enzyme that is activated by binding to the appropriate cyclin partner, gaining the ability to transfer a phosphate group to a target protein
checkpoint
a point of transition between one phase of the cell cycle and the next phase of the cell cycle
DNA replication
the process of duplicating a DNA molecule, during which the parental strands separate and new partner strands are made
three checkpoints
G1 checkpoint, G2 checkpoint, spindle assembly checkpoint
apoptosis
genetically programmed death of a cell; removes unneeded cells or to sculpt parts of the body