biology: cell cycle and cell division

Benign

Not harmful in effect.

Oncogene

A group of genetic mutations that may cause cancer.

Tumor suppressor gene

Normal genes that slow down cell division or tell cells to die at the right time.

Malignant

Very virulent or infectious.

Metastasis

Spread of cancer cells from the place where they first formed to another part of the body.

Tumor

Mass of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide more than they should.

Chromosome

A DNA structure that carries genes.

Chromatin

Loose, uncoiled DNA in the nucleus.

Chromatid

One half of a duplicated chromosome.

Centromere

The part that holds two chromatids together.

Centriole

A structure that organizes spindle fibers in cell division.

What do oncogenes do in the cell cycle?

Oncogenes increase cell division.

What do tumor suppressor genes do?

Tumor suppressor genes reduce cell division.

What are carcinogens?

Environmental conditions that can increase your chance of developing cancer.

What is the result of a lack of control of the cell cycle?

It can lead to overgrowth of a cell type and cancer.

What does DNA replication produce?

Two identical strands of DNA, each with one old strand and one new strand.

What ensures proper growth, replication, and division of the cell?

The cell cycle.

What happens in the G-1 Phase of the cell cycle?

Growth and development.

What occurs during the S Phase?

DNA replication.

Describe what happens in the G-2 Phase.

Prepares for mitosis.

What happens during mitosis?

Nuclear division.

What is cytokinesis?

Cytoplasm splits into 2 / cell division.

What are checkpoints used for in the cell cycle?

To ensure each stage is completed correctly.

What do centrioles do during mitosis?

Organize spindle fibers and help pull sister chromatids apart.

What are the stages of mitosis?

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.

What is cytokinesis?

Division of the cytoplasm to form 2 separate daughter cells.

How do some organisms use the cell cycle for asexual reproduction?

They create offspring without a mate through mitosis.

What is cell differentiation?

When a simple cell changes into a specific type of cell with a special job.

What distinguishes embryonic stem cells from adult stem cells?

Embryonic stem cells can become any cell type; adult stem cells can only become certain types.

How does gene regulation affect cell differentiation?

It controls what a cell becomes by turning certain genes on or off.