The Cell Cycle: Mitosis and Meiosis

Cell Cycle

The series of events that take place in a cell that causes it to divide into two daughter cells.

Binary Fission

A method of asexual reproduction in prokaryotic organisms where a cell divides into two roughly equal parts.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell grows and duplicates its DNA before mitosis begins.

G1 Phase

The first phase of interphase where the cell grows and carries out its functions.

S Phase

The phase of the cell cycle during which DNA replication and chromosome duplication occur.

G2 Phase

The second gap phase of interphase when the cell prepares for mitosis.

M Phase

The phase of the cell cycle that includes mitosis and cytokinesis.

Chromatid

One of two identical strands of DNA that make up a duplicated chromosome.

Centromere

The region of a chromosome where the kinetochores form and attach to spindle microtubules.