Cells and Mitosis

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering cell theory, cellular organelles and membrane structures, the eukaryotic cell cycle, and the stages of mitosis and cytokinesis.

Cell Theory

The foundational biological principle stating that the cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life, organismal activity depends on individual and collective cellular activity, biochemical activities are dictated by subcellular structure, and continuity of life has a cellular basis.

Plasma Membrane

A phospholipid bilayer studded with proteins and cholesterol that surrounds the entire cell and forms its outer boundary.

Cholesterol (Membrane Component)

A lipid/fat molecule located within the plasma membrane's phospholipid bilayer that helps stabilize the membrane structure.

Membrane Transport Proteins

Proteins embedded in the plasma membrane that provide hydrophilic channels or utilize ATP energy to actively pump substances across the membrane.

Membrane Junction & Adhesion Proteins

Membrane proteins that mediate intercellular joining, cell-cell recognition via glycoproteins, and attachment to the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix (ECM).

Cytoplasma

The specialized living material inside the cell situated between the plasma membrane and the nucleus, containing the cellular organelles and fluid serving as the interior environment.

Ribosomes

Tiny particles composed of rRNA subunits that synthesize proteins; referred to as a cell's "protein factories."

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A membranous network of interconnected canals and sacs, divided into rough ER (studded with ribosomes) and smooth ER (without ribosomes).

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

The portion of the endoplasmic reticulum with attached ribosomes that receives and transports synthesized proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

The portion of the endoplasmic reticulum devoid of ribosomes that synthesizes lipids and carbohydrates.

Golgi Apparatus

A stack of flattened membranous sacs possessing a cis "receiving" face and trans "shipping" face that chemically processes and packages substances received from the ER.

Mitochondria

A membranous capsule containing a large, folded inner membrane (cristae) encrusted with enzymes and a central matrix; site of ATP synthesis known as a cell's "powerhouse."

Lysosomes

A membrane-encased "bubble" of enzymes that functions as a cell's "digestive system."

Nucleus

A spherical gene-containing control center bounded by a double membrane with pores; houses DNA strands and dictates protein synthesis, active transport, metabolism, growth, and heredity.

Nucleolus

A dense, dark-staining spherical body within the nucleus that plays an essential role in the formation and production of ribosomes.

Cell Cycle

The complete cycle of cell growth and division comprising Interphase ($G_1$, $S$, and $G_2$ phases) and the Mitotic Phase ($M$), which consists of mitosis and cytokinesis.

Interphase

The period of the cell cycle dedicated to cell growth ($G_1$), DNA synthesis ($S$), and final preparations for division ($G_2$).

Mitosis

The phase of the cell cycle involving nuclear division, essential for body growth and tissue repair.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm that begins in late anaphase and pinches the cell into two parts after mitosis ends.

Prophase

The first phase of mitosis during which chromatin condenses into chromosomes, asters appear, nucleoli disappear, centriole pairs separate to form the mitotic spindle, and the nuclear envelope breaks down.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis during which chromosomes cluster in the center of the cell with centromeres precisely aligned along the cell's equator.

Metaphase Plate

The plane midway between the mitotic spindle poles where chromosomes align their centromeres during metaphase.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis in which chromosome centromeres split and motor proteins in kinetochores pull daughter chromosomes toward opposite spindle poles.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis during which daughter chromosomes uncoil back into chromatin, nucleoli reappear, and a new nuclear membrane forms from the rough ER.

Cleavage Furrow

A groove formed during late anaphase by a contractile ring that deepens to divide the cytoplasm into two daughter cells during cytokinesis.

Cell Theory

The foundational biological principle stating that the cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life, organismal activity depends on individual and collective cell activity, biochemical activities are dictated by subcellular structure, and continuity of life has a cellular basis.

Schleiden & Schwann

Scientists who contributed to cell theory by declaring that plants and living organisms consist of cells.

Rudolf Virchow

Pathologist who expanded cell theory by concluding that "one living cell could only originate from another living cell."

Plasma Membrane

A phospholipid bilayer studded with proteins and cholesterol that encloses the cytoplasm and forms the outer boundary of the cell.

Cytoplasma

The specialized living material of the cell located between the plasma membrane and the nucleus, containing cytosol fluid and cellular organelles.

Nucleus

A double-membrane spherical envelope containing DNA strands that acts as the gene-containing control center of the cell and dictates protein synthesis.

Nucleolus

A dense, dark-staining spherical region within the nucleus that serves as the site of ribosome production.

Ribosomes

Tiny particles composed of rRNA subunits that synthesize proteins, functioning as the cell's "protein factories."

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A membranous network of interconnected canals and sacs categorized into rough ER (with ribosomes) and smooth ER (without ribosomes).

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

The region of the endoplasmic reticulum studded with ribosomes that receives and transports synthesized proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

The region of the endoplasmic reticulum lacking ribosomes that synthesizes lipids and carbohydrates.

Golgi Apparatus

A stack of flattened membranous sacs that chemically processes and packages substances received from the endoplasmic reticulum.

Mitochondria

Membranous capsule containing a large, folded inner membrane encrusted with enzymes that synthesizes ATP, acting as the cell's "powerhouse."

Lysosomes

Membrane-encased "bubbles" of enzymes that break down cellular materials, functioning as the cell's "digestive system."

Membrane Protein Functions

Specialized roles carried out by proteins embedded in the cell membrane, including transport, enzymatic activity, signal transduction receptors, intercellular joining, cell-cell recognition, and structural attachment to the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix (ECM).

Cell Division

A cellular process essential for body growth and tissue repair, composed of mitosis (nuclear division) and cytokinesis (cytoplasmic division).

Interphase

The non-dividing phase of the cell cycle consisting of $G_1$ (growth), $S$ (growth and DNA synthesis), and $G_2$ (growth and final preparations for division).

$$G_1\text{ Phase}$$

The first growth subphase of interphase prior to DNA replication.

$$S\text{ Phase}$$

The synthesis subphase of interphase characterized by cell growth and DNA synthesis.

$$G_2\text{ Phase}$$

The final subphase of interphase focused on cell growth and final preparations for division.

Mitosis

The process of nuclear division divided into four distinct phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm that occurs after mitosis ends, pinching the parent cell into two daughter cells.

Prophase

The initial phase of mitosis in which chromatin condenses into chromosomes, asters appear, nucleoli disappear, centriole pairs separate, and the mitotic spindle forms.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes cluster with their centromeres aligned across the exact center or equator of the cell.

Metaphase Plate

The plane midway between the spindle poles along which chromosomes align during metaphase.

Anaphase

The mitotic phase during which centromeres split and motor proteins in kinetochores pull daughter chromosomes toward opposite cell poles.

Telophase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes uncoil back into chromatin, new nuclear membranes form from the rough ER, and nucleoli reappear.

Cleavage Furrow

An indentation that begins forming in late anaphase by a contractile ring, which pinches the cytoplasm in two during cytokinesis.