Chapter 8: Mitosis & Cancer

What are the two stages of cell division in prokaryotes?

DNA replication and binary fission.

What is mitosis?

A cell division mechanism that occurs in nonreproductive cells, specifically somatic cells.

What phases comprise interphase in eukaryotic cells?

G1 phase, S phase, and G2 phase.

What occurs during the S phase of interphase?

DNA replication occurs in preparation for cell division.

What is a karyotype?

An organized display of chromosomes arranged by size, shape, and centromere location.

What defines sister chromatids?

Identical copies of a chromosome formed prior to cell division.

Name the four stages of mitosis.

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.

What occurs during the anaphase stage of mitosis?

Sister chromatids separate and are pulled toward opposite poles of the cell.

How does cytokinesis occur in animal cells?

Through the formation of a cleavage furrow that pinches the cell in two.

What is cancer?

Uncontrolled cell division that results in tumors.

What happens when proto-oncogenes are mutated?

They become oncogenes, which can cause excessive cell division.

What is the function of tumor-suppressor genes?

They normally turn off cell division in healthy cells.

What is the significance of the p53 gene?

It is a tumor suppressor gene that detects DNA damage and can trigger cell death if necessary.