Cell Division and Genetics

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the lecture on cell division and genetics, providing definitions and explanations for important vocabulary.

Cell Division

The process by which cells replicate and divide to form daughter cells.

Daughter Cells

The two cells that result from the division of a single parent cell.

Genetically Identical

Referring to daughter cells that are clones of the parent cell, having the same DNA.

Prokaryotic Cell Division

A process where a single-celled organism replicates its DNA and divides to form two new cells.

Eukaryotic Cell Division

Cell division in organisms with complex cells that involves mitosis and meiosis.

Mitosis

The type of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

A specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, leading to the production of gametes.

Genome

The complete set of DNA, including all of its genes, present in a cell.

Chromosome

A structure composed of DNA and protein that carries genetic information.

Chromatin

The complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes; exists in a less condensed form during interphase.

Sister Chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome that are joined together at the centromere.

Centromere

The region of a chromosome where sister chromatids are joined.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm that occurs after mitosis to form two daughter cells.

Amoeba

A unicellular eukaryote that reproduces through cell division.

Somatic Cells

Any body cell other than reproductive cells, typically diploid.

Gametes

Reproductive cells such as sperm and eggs, typically haploid.

Diploid Number

The total number of chromosomes in a somatic cell, having two sets.

Haploid Number

The number of chromosomes in a gamete, having one set.

Chromatid Cohesion

The phenomenon where sister chromatids are held together by proteins until they separate during cell division.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell spends most of its time growing and relaxing before division.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis where chromosomes condense and the mitotic spindle forms.

Prometaphase

The phase between prophase and metaphase where the nuclear envelope breaks down and spindle fibers attach to kinetochores.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes align at the metaphase plate.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite ends of the cell.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis where the chromosomes decondense and the nuclear envelope re-forms.

Cell Cycle

The sequence of events from the formation of a cell until it divides into two daughter cells.

Checkpoints

Points in the cell cycle where the cell examines itself and decides whether to divide.

Cyclins

Proteins that regulate the timing of the cell cycle in eukaryotic cells.

Oncogenes

Genes that, when mutated or expressed at high levels, help turn a normal cell into a cancer cell.

Tumor-Suppressor Genes

Genes that protect a cell from one step on the path to cancer.

Apoptosis

The process of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms.

Cytoplasmic Determinants

Materials in the egg that influence early development by regulating gene expression.

Induction

The process by which one group of cells influences the development of another group.

Differential Gene Expression

The process by which cells express different genes, leading to different cell types.

Stem Cells

Cells with the potential to differentiate into various cell types.

Totipotent Cells

Stem cells that can give rise to every cell type in the body, including extraembryonic tissues.

Pluripotent Cells

Stem cells that can give rise to multiple types of cells, but not all.

Embryonic Stem Cells

Stem cells derived from early embryos that can differentiate into any type of cell.

Adult Stem Cells

Stem cells found in adult tissues that can regenerate specific types of cells.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS Cells)

Differentiated cells that have been reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state.

Viral Infection

The process by which a virus enters a host cell and replicates.

Vaccine

A harmless variant of a pathogen that stimulates the immune system to mount defenses against the actual pathogen.

Antiviral Drugs

Medications that inhibit the development of viruses.

Epidemic

A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

Pandemic

An epidemic that has spread across a large region, such as multiple continents.

Gene Therapy

An experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease.

Mutation

A change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information.

Environmental Carcinogens

Substances in the environment that can lead to cancer.

Horizontal Gene Transfer

The transfer of genetic material between organisms in a manner other than traditional reproduction.

Proto-Oncogenes

Normal genes that can become oncogenes due to mutations.

Cellular Differentiation

The process where a cell changes from one cell type to another, often making it more specialized.

Biological Factors

Innate conditions and processes that can influence the way cells behave.

Cancer

A disease characterized by uncontrolled cell division.

Malignant Tumor

A tumor that invades neighboring tissues and can spread to other parts of the body.

Benign Tumor

A non-cancerous tumor that does not invade neighboring tissues.

Genetic Engineering

The direct manipulation of one or more genes to alter the characteristics of an organism.

CRISPR-Cas9

A revolutionary technology that allows for precise editing of genes.

Genomic Sequencing

The process of determining the entire DNA sequence of an organism's genome.

Epigenetic Changes

Alterations to the DNA or associated proteins that affect gene activity without changing the DNA sequence.

Lysogenic Cycle

A viral replication cycle in which the viral genome is integrated into the host genome and is replicated without causing cell death.

Lytic Cycle

A viral replication cycle that results in the destruction of the host cell.

Virus

An infectious particle consisting of nucleic acid enclosed in a protein coat.

Viral Envelope

A membrane derived from the host cell that surrounds some viruses.

Viral Genome

The complete set of viral genes, which can be either DNA or RNA.

Viral Capsid

The protein shell of a virus that encloses its genome.

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects bacteria.

Animal Virus

A virus that infects animal cells.

Plant Virus

A virus that infects plant cells.

Carrier

An individual that harbors a pathogen but does not exhibit symptoms.

Pathogen

A microorganism that can cause disease.

Horizontal Transfer

The transfer of genetic material between organisms that are not parent and offspring.

Viral Replication

The process by which viruses reproduce inside a host cell.

Transduction

The transfer of genetic material from one bacterium to another by a virus.

Virulence Factors

Molecules produced by pathogens that contribute to the pathogenicity of the organism.

Infection Cycle

The series of events that occur when a virus infiltrates a host.

Provirus

Viral DNA integrated into the host cell's chromosome.

Emerging Virus

A virus that has recently increased in incidence or geographic range.

Antigenic Shift

A major change in the antigenic character of a virus, often due to reassortment.

Immune Response

The body's defensive reaction to foreign substances.

Diseases in Agriculture

Plant diseases caused by viruses that significantly affect crop yields.

Reactive Oxygen Species

Highly reactive molecules that can damage cellular components and contribute to disease processes.

Zoonotic Disease

Disease that is transmitted from animals to humans.

Inactivated Vaccine

A vaccine made from viruses that have been killed or inactivated.

Live Attenuated Vaccine

A vaccine made from live viruses that have been weakened.

Viral Evolution

The process through which viruses adapt and change over time.

Enveloped Virus

A virus with a protective lipid layer surrounding its capsid.

Non-enveloped Virus

A virus that lacks an outer lipid layer.

Gene Therapy

The experimental technique that uses genes to treat disease.

Host Range

The spectrum of host cells that a virus can infect.

Tissue Tropism

The preference of a virus to infect certain tissues or cell types.

Primary Cell Culture

The process of growing cells directly from tissues.

Cancer Treatment

Therapies aimed at treating cancer; includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from the original tumor to other parts of the body.

Mutation Rate

The frequency at which mutations occur in a given gene or organism.

Antiviral Therapy

Treatment that inhibits the development of viruses.

Infectious Disease

Any disease caused by pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Bioethics

The study of ethical issues arising from advances in biology and medicine.

T-cell Activation

The process through which T-cells are stimulated to respond to pathogens.

Immune System

The body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders.

T-cell

A type of lymphocyte involved in the immune response.