The Cell Cycle (Mitosis and Asexual Reproduction) Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the cell cycle, mitosis, and asexual reproduction from the lecture notes.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus; involved in growth and asexual reproduction.

Asexual Reproduction

A type of reproduction by which offspring arise from a single organism, and inherit the genes of that parent only; essentially cloning.

Cell Division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells, essential for the continuity of life and the reproduction of organisms.

Genetically Identical Daughter Cells

The result of most cell division, where two new cells contain exact copies of the genetic material from the parent cell.

Genome

All the DNA in a cell.

Chromosomes

Structures composed of DNA molecules packaged with proteins.

Eukaryotic Chromosomes

Consist of chromatin, a complex of DNA and protein, and have a characteristic number in each cell nucleus.

Chromatin

The complex of DNA and proteins that makes up eukaryotic chromosomes.

Duplicated Chromosome

A chromosome that has undergone replication and consists of two identical sister chromatids.

Sister Chromatids

Two identical copies of a chromosome joined together at a centromere.

Centromere

The region where two sister chromatids are joined together in a duplicated chromosome.

S phase

The phase of the cell cycle where DNA replication and duplication of chromosomal proteins occur.

Interphase

The period in the cell cycle where the cell grows, copies its DNA, and prepares for cell division, consisting of G1, S, and G2 phases.

M (Mitotic) Phase

The phase of the cell cycle that includes mitosis and cytokinesis.

Mitosis (Stages)

The division of the genetic material in the nucleus, encompassing prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm, which overlaps the latter stages of mitosis.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis where chromosomes condense and the mitotic spindle begins to form.

Metaphase

A stage of mitosis in which the chromosomes are aligned along the metaphase plate in the center of the cell.

Anaphase

A stage of mitosis in which sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles of the cell.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis where chromosomes arrive at the poles, nuclear envelopes reform, and the cell prepares for cytokinesis.

Cleavage

The process of cytokinesis in animal cells, characterized by the formation of a cleavage furrow.

Cleavage Furrow

A shallow groove in the cell surface near the old metaphase plate, indicating the start of cytokinesis in animal cells.

Cell Plate

A structure formed during cytokinesis in plant cells, which develops into a new cell wall separating the two daughter cells.

Binary Fission

A type of cell division by which prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) reproduce, involving chromosome replication and cell elongation followed by plasma membrane pinching inward.

Origin of Replication

The specific site on a chromosome where DNA replication begins during binary fission in prokaryotes.

Parthenogenesis

A form of asexual reproduction in which growth and development of embryos occur without fertilization, seen in some animals like aphids, bees, lizards, and salamanders.