Understanding the Cell Cycle and Mitosis

Omnis cellula e cellula

All cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Mitosis

Cell division promoting growth and tissue repair.

Meiosis

Cell division for producing gametes.

Binary fission

Asexual reproduction method in bacteria.

Stem cells

Unspecialized cells capable of division.

Zygote

Fertilized egg cell, first stage of development.

Interphase

Phase of cell cycle for growth and DNA replication.

G1 Phase

Active cell growth period before DNA synthesis.

S Phase

Phase where DNA is replicated.

G2 Phase

Preparation for mitosis, cell growth continues.

Cytokinesis

Final step of cell division, splitting cytoplasm.

Centrioles

Organelles that help organize cell division.

Chromatin

Uncondensed DNA material in the nucleus.

Sister chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome joined at centromere.

Mitotic spindle

Structure that separates chromosomes during mitosis.

Metaphase plate

Imaginary line where chromosomes align during metaphase.

Anaphase

Phase where sister chromatids separate and move apart.

Telophase

Final phase of mitosis, nuclear envelope re-forms.

Cleavage furrow

Indentation during cytokinesis in animal cells.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death for regulating cell numbers.

Mutations

Changes in DNA sequence during replication.

Cancer

Uncontrolled cell division leading to tumor formation.

Melanoma

A type of skin cancer from UV exposure.

Cell cycle regulation

Control mechanisms for cell division and death.

Semiconservative model

DNA replication method producing one old and one new strand.

Growth and repair

Primary reasons for cell division in multicellular organisms.