Honors Biology: Mod 4 Cell Growth and Division Vocabulary Review

asexual reproduction

Process of reproduction involving a single parent that results in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent

sexual reproduction

Type of reproduction in which cells from two parents unite to form the first cell of a new organism

chromosome

Threadlike structure of DNA and protein that contains genetic information; so-called super-coiled rods of DNA

cell cycle

Series of events in which a cell grows, prepares for division, and divides into two daughter cells

mitosis

Part of eukaryotic cell division in which the cell nucleus divides

chromatin

Substance found in eukaryotic chromosomes that consists of DNA tightly coiled around histone proteins; so-called unraveled form of DNA

cytokinesis

Division of the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells

chromatid

One of two identical "sister" parts of a duplicated chromosome

cyclin

One of a family of proteins that regulates the cell cycle in eukaryotic cells

growth factor

One of a group of external regulatory proteins that stimulate growth and division of cells

apoptosis

Process of programmed cell death; cell suicide

cancer

Disorder in which some of the body's cells lose the ability to control growth

embryo

Developing stage of a multicellular organism

differentiation

Process in which cells become specialized in structure and function

stem cell

Unspecialized cell that can give rise to one or more types of specialized cells