The Cell Cycle and Cellular Reproduction

This set of flashcards covers essential vocabulary related to the cell cycle and cellular reproduction, as studied in the lecture.

Cell Cycle

An orderly set of stages from the first division of a eukaryotic cell to the time the resulting daughter cells divide.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell grows and duplicates its DNA, comprising G1, S, and G2 stages.

Mitosis

The phase of the cell cycle where nuclear division occurs and sister chromatids are separated.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death involving a sequence of cellular events that lead to cell destruction.

Cyclins

Proteins that regulate the cell cycle by activating cyclin-dependent kinases.

Tumor

An abnormal growth of cells; benign tumors are non-cancerous, malignant tumors are cancerous.

Oncogenes

Mutated proto-oncogenes that promote excessive cell division.

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes that inhibit the cell cycle and promote apoptosis; mutations can lead to cancer.

Binary Fission

A method of asexual reproduction in prokaryotic cells where the cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Euchromatin

The less condensed form of chromatin that is active in transcription.

Heterochromatin

More compacted chromatin that is generally inactive and not easily transcribed.

Centromere

The region of the chromosome where sister chromatids are joined.

Sister Chromatids

The two identical strands of DNA that are formed after DNA replication.

Cell Cycle Checkpoints

Regulatory points in the cell cycle where the cell checks for damage and decides whether to proceed.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body.

G1 Checkpoint

The main checkpoint of the cell cycle where the cell assesses if conditions are favorable for division.

p53 gene

A tumor suppressor gene that regulates the cell cycle and can trigger apoptosis if DNA is damaged.

Telomeres

Specialized structures at the ends of chromosomes that protect them from deterioration.

Growth Factors

Signaling proteins that stimulate cellular growth and division.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell's genetic material.

Meristematic Tissue

Plant tissue that remains undifferentiated and has the ability to divide for growth.