Biology 101: Mitosis and The Continuity of Life

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental concepts of Bio 101 Unit III, including the eukaryotic cell cycle, the specific phases of mitosis, chromosome structure, and various modes of asexual reproduction.

Genome

A cell’s complete collection of DNA.

Interphase

The stage representing $90\%$ of a cell’s life when the cell performs its normal functions.

Cell Division

The last stage in a cell’s life cycle when DNA is duplicated and divided into daughter cells.

Daughter cells

Exact copies (clones) of the parent cell produced at the end of cell division.

S phase

The specific phase of Interphase during which DNA replication occurs.

Sister chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome, copied lengthwise, that are produced at the end of interphase.

p ARM

The short arm of a replicated chromosome.

q ARM

The long arm of a replicated chromosome.

Centromere

The primary constriction region of a chromosome where sister chromatids are joined.

Kinetochore

The protein structure at the centromere where spindle fibers attach to the chromosome.

Mitosis

The division of the genetic material, consisting of four main phases: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase (IPMAT).

Prophase

The phase where chromosomes condense, the nuclear envelope breaks down, the nucleolus disappears, and spindle fibers emerge from centrosomes.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate and each sister chromatid is attached to a spindle fiber from opposite poles.

Anaphase

The phase where cohesin proteins break down and sister chromatids are pulled toward opposite poles, becoming individual chromosomes.

Telophase

The stage where chromosomes arrive at opposite poles and decondense, and nuclear envelope material surrounds each set of chromosomes.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cellular material (cytoplasm) that follows Telophase.

Cleavage furrow

The structure in animal cells that separates the daughter cells during cytokinesis.

Cell plate

The structure in plant cells that separates the daughter cells during cytokinesis.

Diploid ($2n$)

Cells that contain two copies of each chromosome.

Haploid ($n$)

Reproductive cells, such as sperm and eggs, that contain only one copy of each chromosome.

Programmed cell death

The natural ending of a cell's cycle, intended to keep a multi-cellular organism fresh and vibrant.

Binary Fission

The process of cell division in prokaryotes and some single-cell protist eukaryotes that results in two identical daughter cells.

Budding

An asexual reproduction method, seen in organisms like the hydra, where a whole new individual grows out of the parent.

Vegetative reproduction

An asexual process where new shoots emerge from modified underground stems called rhizomes.

Parthenogenesis

A term translated from Greek as 'of virgin origin,' referring to instances where some female reptiles fertilize their own eggs to clone themselves.

Muller’s Ratchet

The accumulation of deleterious (bad) genes, which is a disadvantage found in asexually reproducing species.