BC Science Connections 9: DNA, Mitosis, and Reproduction

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cell cycle stages, mitosis, forms of asexual and sexual reproduction, and the organizational levels of DNA.

Interphase

The stage that makes up most of the life of the cell, during which the cell grows and develops, carries out its life functions, copies its DNA, and increases its number of organelles.

Prophase

The phase of mitosis in which DNA condenses into chromosomes, the nuclear membrane disappears, and spindle fibres form.

Metaphase

The phase of mitosis during which chromosomes line up across the middle of the cell.

Anaphase

The phase of mitosis in which duplicated chromosomes are pulled apart to opposite ends of the cell.

Telophase

The phase of mitosis where duplicated chromosomes have reached opposite ends of the cell and a nuclear membrane reappears around each set of chromosomes.

Cytokinesis

The stage of the cell cycle during which the cytoplasm divides to separate the cell into two.

Binary Fission

A method of bacterial asexual reproduction in which a parent cell duplicates its DNA and divides into two cells.

Budding

A method of asexual reproduction where a new individual develops from an outgrowth or bud on the parent, characterized by structures like a nucleus, cell wall, and cell membrane, and leaving behind a bud scar.

Sporangium

A specialized reproductive structure that produces, holds, and releases spores during asexual reproduction.

Spore

A reproductive cell produced in a sporangium that is capable of germinating to form a new individual during asexual reproduction.

DNA

Identified as the molecule of life, it represents the genetic material found within cells.

Chromatin

An organizational level of DNA within the cell that consists of uncoiled or loosely packed DNA and related proteins.

Chromosome

A condensed, organized level of DNA that becomes distinctly visible during cell division and reproduction.

DNA Helix

The spiraling, double-stranded structural organizational level of the DNA molecule.

DNA Sequence

The specific linear arrangement or order of nucleotide bases within a segment or strand of DNA.

Nucleotide

The basic structural building block unit that links together to form a DNA sequence.

Asexual Reproduction

A form of reproduction involving a single parent organism or cell, encompassing processes like binary fission, budding, and spore formation.

Sexual Reproduction

A form of reproduction contrasted with asexual reproduction in cellular biology and organism propagation.