Mitosis, Plasma Membrane, and Cytosol Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about mitosis, the plasma membrane, lipid bilayer, and cytosol.

Microtubules (in mitosis)

Long filamentous structures that lengthen to reach chromosomes and attach to their centromeres, helping to align them during metaphase.

Metaphase

Stage of mitosis when chromosomes line up along the center of the cell due to microtubule attachment to centromeres.

Centromere

Region of a chromosome where microtubules attach during mitosis to pull and align chromosomes.

Plasma membrane

The cell’s outer boundary that surrounds the cell.

Lipid bilayer

The double layer of lipids that forms the plasma membrane, with hydrophobic tails inside and hydrophilic heads outside.

Hydrophobic

Water-repelling part of a molecule; in lipids, the fatty acid tails.

Hydrophilic

Water-attracting part of a molecule; in lipids, the phosphate-containing heads.

Cytosol

The fluid inside the cell that contains water, ions, and other solutes and serves as a cushiony space for organelles.

Cushioning role of cytosol

The cytosol acts as a cushiony compartment inside the cell to protect and organize organelles.

Metaphase plate

The plane along which chromosomes align during metaphase.