The Cell Cycle & Cellular Reproduction

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the cell cycle, cellular reproduction, and cancer as presented in the lecture notes.

G1 Stage

The phase where the cell grows, recovers from division, and doubles organelles.

S Stage

The phase where DNA replication occurs, resulting in sister chromatids.

G2 Stage

The phase where proteins necessary for division are synthesized.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell performs its usual functions and prepares for division.

M Stage (Mitotic Stage)

Includes mitosis and cytokinesis, leading to the division of the cell.

Mitosis

The process of nuclear division where daughter chromosomes are distributed to two daughter nuclei.

Cytokinesis

The division of cytoplasm resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells.

Cyclins

Proteins that signal the cell cycle's progression and checkpoint activity.

Checkpoints

Points in the cell cycle that allow time for DNA damage repair.

p53 protein

A quality control protein that triggers DNA repair mechanisms.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death; a mechanism to eliminate abnormal cells.

Eukaryotic Chromosome

A single DNA molecule associated with histones, condensing to form chromosomes.

Histones

Proteins that aid in the packing of DNA into chromatin.

Chromatid

Each half of the duplicated chromosome, joined at the centromere.

Centromere

The region where sister chromatids are joined together.

Karyotype

A display of the complete set of chromosomes for an organism.

Diploid

Cells containing two complete sets of chromosomes (2N).

Haploid

Cells containing one complete set of chromosomes (N).

Centrosome

An organelle that organizes microtubules and divides before mitosis begins.

Meristematic tissue

Plant tissue that divides throughout the plant's life, allowing growth.

Oncogenes

Mutated proto-oncogenes that promote uncontrolled cell division.

Tumor suppressor genes

Genes that inhibit cell division; mutations can lead to cancer.

Telomeres

The ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division.

Telomerase

An enzyme that maintains the length of telomeres.

Nondifferentiated cells

Cells that lack specialization and do not perform specific functions.

Cancer cells

Cells that grow uncontrollably, lack differentiation, and can invade other tissues.

Contact inhibition

The process where cells stop dividing when they touch other cells.

Binary fission

A method of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes, resulting in two identical daughter cells.

Chromosome

A structure made of DNA and histones that carries genetic information.

Chromatin

The complex form of DNA associated with histones in the non-dividing cell.

Euchromatin

Loosely coiled chromatin that is active in transcription.

Heterochromatin

Tightly coiled chromatin that is inactive.

Meristem

Regions in plants where rapid cell division occurs, enabling growth.

Cell plate

A structure that forms during cytokinesis in plant cells, leading to the formation of a cell wall.

Cleave furrow

The indentation that forms during cytokinesis in animal cells.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from the original tumor to distant sites.

Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to cells.

Gene mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to cancer development.

Fertilized egg

The initial cell formed when sperm fertilizes an egg, undergoing mitosis to develop into an embryo.

Chromosomal number

The specific count of chromosomes present in an organism.