Cell Growth & Division

Flashcards for Cell Growth and Division

Diffusion

The process of particles moving from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. It is controlled by the volume of the cell.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration. It is controlled by the volume of the cell.

Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio

As a cell increases in size, the volume increases at a faster rate than the surface area.

Cell Division

The process by which a cell divides into two daughter cells, reducing overall cell volume and solving problems related to cell size.

Chromosomes

Structures made of DNA that contain genetic information; each species has a specific number of them.

Sister Chromatids

Two identical copies of a chromosome held together by the centromere.

Centromere

The region of a chromosome where the sister chromatids are held together.

Cell Cycle

The cycle of growth and reproduction of a cell, consisting of Interphase and Mitosis.

Interphase

The period of the cell cycle when the cell grows and prepares for cell division; includes G1, S, and G2 phases.

Mitosis

The division of the nucleus, consisting of prophase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis.

Prophase

The first phase of mitosis where the nuclear envelope dissolves, chromatin condenses into chromatids, and centrioles migrate to the poles forming the spindle.

Anaphase

Phase of mitosis where sister chromatids separate and move to opposite sides of the cell, becoming daughter chromosomes.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis where the nuclear envelope reforms, the spindle disappears, and chromatids decondense into chromatin.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm, resulting in two separate daughter cells.

Cyclin

A protein that sends signals telling cells when to reproduce as part of normal cell cycle control.

Cancer

Uncontrolled cell growth due to the disruption of the cell cycle and failure to respond to normal regulatory signals.