Cell Division: Mitosis and Binary Fission

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cell division, specifically focusing on mitosis and its comparison to binary fission in bacteria.

What is mitosis?

Mitosis is a type of cell division in which one cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

What is binary fission?

Binary fission is a simple form of cell division that occurs in prokaryotes, such as bacteria, where the cell splits into two identical daughter cells.

Why is mitosis important in multicellular organisms?

Mitosis is important for growth, development, and tissue repair in multicellular organisms.

What does the term 'genome' refer to?

The genome is the complete set of DNA, including all of its genes, within an organism.

How many chromosomes do humans have?

Humans have 46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 homologous pairs.

What are homologous chromosomes?

Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent, that have the same length and carry the same genes.

What are sister chromatids?

Sister chromatids are identical copies of a chromosome that are joined together at the centromere and are the result of DNA replication.

What is the diploid number for humans?

The diploid number for humans is 46 chromosomes, represented as 2n.

What is the haploid number for human gametes?

The haploid number for human gametes (sperm and egg cells) is 23 chromosomes, represented as n.

What is the function of the centromere during mitosis?

The centromere holds sister chromatids together until they are separated during mitosis.

What is interphase?

Interphase is the phase of the cell cycle when the cell is not dividing, and it consists of G1, S, and G2 phases where the cell grows and duplicates its DNA.

What happens during the S phase of interphase?

During the S phase, DNA synthesis occurs, and each chromosome is replicated to form sister chromatids.

What are the two main phases of the cell cycle?

The two main phases of the cell cycle are interphase and the mitotic phase.

What is the difference between mitosis and cytokinesis?

Mitosis is the division of the nucleus, while cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm, resulting in two daughter cells.

What type of cell division leads to exponential growth in bacteria?

Binary fission leads to exponential growth in bacteria.

What does the term 'chromatin' refer to?

Chromatin refers to the relaxed form of DNA found in the nucleus when the cell is not dividing.

What organelles need to be duplicated during G2 phase?

During the G2 phase, organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts need to be duplicated in preparation for cell division.