Cell Division

Chromosome

packages of DNA molecules that are found in the nucleus of cellls

Genome

all of a cell’s DNA; the complete set of a cell’s genetic information

Sister chromatid

joined copies of the original chromosome that make up each duplicated chromosome, they are joined together by protein complexes called cohesions

Chromatin

DNA in its less condensed form, where it’s simply a long, thin, threadlike fiber as opposed to a tightly coiled chromosome

Cell division

the process of a cell dividing into identical daughter cells, that contain identical genetic material.

Mitosis

the process in eukaryotic organisms by which the genetic material of the nucleus is split equally into two identical daughter cells

Cytokinesis

the process of dividing non-nuclear/non-genetic cell material, such as organelles, between the two daughter cells. In animals, this happens via a cleavage furrow; in plants, this happens via a cell plate.

Somatic cell

this contains most cells. Somatic cells are all other cells that are not germ or reproductive cells.They make up the body's tissues and organs.

Gametes

a haploid reproductive cell, either an egg or sperm that is formed through meiosis

Centrosome

an organelle outside of the nucleus that helps orchestrate mitosis, by moving to the poles of the cell and forming spindle fibers.

Kinetochore

a protein-dense section within a centromere on each of the two sister chromatids that attaches to the mitotic spindle

Heredity

passing on traits from one generation to the next, continuing characteristics through a genetic line

Variation

differences among individuals within the same species.

Genetics

The study of heredity and hereditary variation

Meiosis

a type of cell division that occurs in reproductive cells, instead of two daughter cells there are four identical daughter cells produced.

Genes

hereditary information consisted of specific nucleotide sequences in DNA

Alleles

An alternative version of a gene that produces phenotypic effects

Homologous chromosomes

a pair of chromosomes made of one maternal chromosome and one paternal chromosome that pair up during meiosis

Diploid

a cell in which each chromosome is part of a homologous pair, so each trait has two alleles that can encode information - also known as a 2n cell, since it has two sets of chromosomes

Haploid

refers to having a single set of unpaired chromosomes (n) in a cell, which occurs in gametes (sperm and eggs)

Synapsis

this is the pairing of homologous chromosomes during early meiosis in the prophase

Crossing over

The change of genetic information between non-sister chromatids during prophase I of meiosis