cell division test

Asexual

made by a single parent

Binary fission

A method of asexual reproduction in unicellular organisms where the cell divides into two equal parts.

Cell division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

Chromatin

The complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

Chromosomes

Structures that carry genetic information, composed of chromatin, that become visible during cell division.

Duplicated

Refers to chromosomes that have been copied and consist of two sister chromatids.

Unduplicated

Refers to chromosomes that consist of a single chromatid.

Centromere

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

Cytokinesis

The process during cell division in which the cytoplasm of a parent cell is divided into two daughter cells.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic information.

Mitosis

The process by which a eukaryotic cell divides its nucleus and genetic material to form two identical daughter cells.

Sister Chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome, joined together at the centromere.

Cell Cycle

The series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and replication.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle in which the cell spends the majority of its life, preparing for division.

Mitotic Phase

The phase of the cell cycle where mitosis and cytokinesis occur.

G1

The first gap phase in the cell cycle, where the cell grows and prepares for DNA synthesis. (S-phase)

S

The synthesis phase of the cell cycle during which DNA is replicated.

G2

The second gap phase in the cell cycle, where the cell prepares for mitosis.

G0

The phase in the cell cycle where cells are not actively dividing. there always doing work but never leave this phase.

Cleavage Furrow

The indentation that begins the process of cytokinesis in animal cells.

Cell Plate

The structure that forms during cytokinesis in plant cells, leading to cell division.

Contact Inhibition

A mechanism that stops cells from growing and dividing when they touch each other.

Cyclin/CDK

Proteins that regulate the cell cycle; cyclins are regulatory proteins and CDKs are enzymes that drive the cell cycle forward.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms.

Tumor

An abnormal mass of tissue that arises from excessive cell division.

Benign

A tumor that does not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant

A cancerous tumor that invades surrounding tissues and can spread to distant parts of the body.

Cancer

A group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to changes in gene function or regulation.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to other parts of the body.

Carcinogen

A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.

Surgery

A common treatment for cancer that involves the removal of tumors.

Radiation

A cancer treatment method that uses high-energy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells.

Chemotherapy

A treatment for cancer that uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.

Homologous Chromosomes

Chromosome pairs, one from each parent, that are similar in shape, size, and genetic content.

Somatic

Cells that make up the body and are not involved in reproduction.

Diploid

A cell that contains two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

Gametes

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

Haploid

A cell that contains a single set of chromosomes, characteristic of gametes.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing four haploid cells.

Sexual Reproduction

A process in which two gametes unite to form a zygote, resulting in genetic variation.

Fertilization

The union of male and female gametes to form a zygote.

Zygote

The fertilized egg that results from the union of sperm and egg.

Variation

Differences in traits among individuals, often enhanced by sexual reproduction.

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis that increases genetic diversity.

Independent Assortment

The random distribution of homologous chromosomes during meiosis, leading to genetic variation.

Random Fertilization

The concept that any sperm can fertilize any egg, adding to genetic diversity in offspring.

Nondisjunction

The failure of homologous chromosomes to separate properly during cell division, leading to aneuploidy.

Karyotype

The number and appearance of chromosomes in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell.

Autosomes

Chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes; they determine most of an organism's traits.

Sex Chromosomes

Chromosomes that determine the sex of an individual (X and Y chromosomes in humans).

Aneuploidy

An abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell, often leading to disorders.

Trisomy

A condition in which an individual has three copies of a particular chromosome instead of two.

Monosomy

A condition in which an individual has only one copy of a particular chromosome instead of two.