Cell Division and Meiosis Overview

Vocabulary flashcards capturing key terms related to meiosis and cell division.

Meiosis II

The second stage of meiosis that begins with haploid cells and results in gametes.

Ploidy

The number of sets of chromosomes in a cell; diploid (2n) means two sets, haploid (n) means one set.

Telophase II

The final stage of meiosis II where nuclear envelopes form around each set of chromosomes, completing cell division.

Cytokinesis

The process of cytoplasm division that occurs after mitosis or meiosis, resulting in two new cells.

Gametes

Haploid reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that unite during fertilization.

Crossing-over

The process during prophase I of meiosis where homologous chromosomes exchange segments, increasing genetic variation.

Spermatogenesis

The process of sperm cell formation in males, resulting in four haploid sperm.

Oogenesis

The process of egg (oocyte) cell development in females, typically producing one mature egg and polar bodies.

Chromatid

One half of a duplicated chromosome, joined at the centromere to its identical sister chromatid.

Centromere

The region of a chromosome where two sister chromatids are joined together.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell grows, DNA is replicated, and prepares for division.

Checkpoints

Regulatory mechanisms in the cell cycle that ensure cells only proceed to the next phase when conditions are favorable.

Autosomes

Chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes; humans have 22 pairs of autosomes.

Telomere

The protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that prevent DNA damage.

Nondisjunction

The failure of chromosome pairs to separate properly during cell division, leading to an abnormal number of chromosomes.

Binary fission

A type of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes where a cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Chiasmata

The point where chromatids exchange genetic material during crossing-over in meiosis.

Somatic cells

Body cells that are diploid and form the tissues and organs of an organism.

Zygote

A fertilized egg formed from the union of a sperm cell and an egg cell, which is the first cell of a new organism.