Cell Junctions and Mitosis Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture material covering cell junctions, cell membrane charges, interphase, checkpoints, and phases of mitosis.

Tight junctions

Cell junctions where cells are linked so close together that it prevents materials passing between.

Gap junction

Cell junction where cells are linked with a channel between them, allowing materials to pass between.

Anchoring junction

Junction that holds cells together and provides structural cohesion.

Desmosomes

A type of anchoring junction where a cell connects to another cell.

Hemidesmosomes

A type of anchoring junction where a cell connects to the extracellular matrix (the proteins outside the cell).

Diploid

Refers to a cell having $2$ sets of chromosomes.

Mitosis

Process with the main goal to duplicate a cell exactly with no genetic variation, starting with $1$ diploid cell and ending with $2$ identical diploid cells.

G1 phase

Growth phase in interphase where the cell gathers resources and energy needed to begin cell division.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that occurs if a cell fails a checkpoint and cannot fix the problem.

S phase

Phase of interphase where the cell duplicates its DNA, going from $2$ sets of DNA to double that.

G2 phase

Growth phase in interphase gathering resources, energy, and making sure all organelles are doubled and accounted for.

Prophase

Stage of mitosis where DNA condenses and becomes chromosomes, and the nuclear envelope disappears.

Nuclear envelope

The outside of the nucleus that disappears during prophase.

Metaphase

Stage of mitosis where chromosomes line up at the equator (the center line of the cell).

Anaphase

Stage of mitosis where chromosomes split in half, and each chromatid half moves to opposite poles (each end of the cell).

Telophase

Stage of mitosis where the cell develops a cleavage furrow, pinches in the middle, and deepens until splitting into $2$ new identical cells.

Cleavage furrow

The pinch developed in the middle of the cell during telophase.

Checkpoint #1

First cell checkpoint during G1 phase where the cell pauses and checks if it has enough resources to move ahead.

Checkpoint #2

Second cell checkpoint occurring during G2 phase to check if everything has gone according to plan.

Checkpoint #3

Third cell checkpoint occurring during metaphase to check if all chromosomes have lined up properly.

Cancer

A disruption of the normal cell cycle - something went wrong during cell division