Cell Division and Mitosis

Vocabulary flashcards about cell division and mitosis, extracted from lecture notes.

Cell Division

The process by which a new cell grows by making more cytoplasm and new organelles, copying its DNA, growing to its maximum size, and then dividing its nuclear material/DNA and its cytoplasm and organelles evenly between 2 smaller daughter cells.

CHROMATIN NETWORK

The DNA and protein in the nucleus that carries genetic information.

CHROMOSOMES

Rod-like structures formed from the chromatin material before cell division and found in the cell nucleus. Contain information that controls all cell processes. Occur in PAIRS - called HOMOLOGOUS CHROMOSOMES

CHROMATID

One of two identical strands making up a particular chromosome

CENTROMERE

The place where the two chromatids making up one particular chromosome are joined.

CENTRIOLE

A pair of cylindrical tubules normally at right angles that make spindle fibres for cell division.

DIPLOID

Two complete sets of chromosomes

HAPLOID

One complete set of chromosomes

SOMATIC CELLS

Body cells

GAMETES

Sex cells

Gene

Segment of DNA that codes for a trait

Cell Cycle

The cycle that each cell has.

Interphase

The phase where the cell grows quickly, new organelles and proteins are made by protein synthesis and chromatin material copies itself by DNA replication.

Mitosis

Material in nucleus divides into 2 equal parts in a continuous process.

Prophase

Phase of mitosis where chromosomes become visible, centrioles move to opposite ends of the cell, spindle fibres begin to form, and the nucleolus and nuclear membrane start disappearing.

Metaphase

Phase of mitosis where chromosomes line up on the equator.

Anaphase

Phase of mitosis where spindle fibres contract and chromosomes are pulled apart.

Telophase

Phase of mitosis where new nucleolus and nuclear membrane forms around each chromosome set, chromosomes unwind, forming two diploid identical cells.

Cytokinesis

When nuclear division is finished, cytoplasm and organelles are shared evenly between two daughter cells and two cells separate.

Cytokinesis in animals

Cell membrane CONSTRICTS at the midpoint of the cell causing it to divide into 2 daughter cells

Cytokinesis in plants

CELL PLATE is made by Golgi bodies and grows across cell forming new cellulose primary cell wall and middle lamella between the 2 identical daughter cells

CANCER

Abnormal and uncontrolled cell division which develop into a lump of cells (tumour), which can spread

TUMOUR

When dividing cells divide too quickly, a lump of cells is formed

Tumor effects

Rapidly-dividing cells that form take up the space of normal cells and use up all the oxygen and nutrients, leading to normal cells stopping functioning and dying.

LEUKEMIA

Occurs in blood and lymphatic system

CARCINOMA

Occurs in epithelial tissue

SARCOMA

Occurs in connective tissue

Antioxidants

Substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals.