Mitosis and Cell Cycle Terms

interphase

one of two major periods in the cell life cycle; includes the period form cell formation to cell division

G1

initial stage of cell growth in mitosis where the cell increases in size, synthesizes proteins and organelles, and carries out it’s normal functions to prepare for DNA replication and cell division 

S

cell replicates its DNA to prepare for cell division 

G2

final phase of interphase where a cell grows further and synthesizes proteins and organelles necessary for cell division, ensuring that DNA replication is complete and any DNA damage is repaired before entering mitosis

M

G1, S, and G2 phase of anaphase

mitosis

process of cell division in which a single parent cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells 

prophase

initial stage of mitosis in which the chromatin condenses into chromosomes , move to opposite poles of the cell, mitotic spindle assembles and the breakdown of the nuclear envelope and nucleolus begins 

metaphase

stage of cell division where condensed chromosomes align along the metaphase plate and the mitotic spindle is complete 

anaphase

stage of cell division where the sister chromatids are pulled apart by spindle fibers towards opposite poles of the cell 

telophase

final stage of mitosis where sister chromatids decondense and being to form new nuclear envelopes around each set of chromosomes, resulting in two new nuclei

mitotic spindle

dynamic, bipolar structure of microtubules that forms during cell division to separate chromosomes 

centrioles

microtubule-based structure essential for organizing the cell’s cytoskeleton and form spindle fibers that separate chromosomes 

chromosomes

thread-like structures in cells that contain genetic information int he form of DNA and genes 

sister chromatids

two identical DNA molecules that form after a chromosome replicates during the S phase of the cell cycle 

centromere

specific centromere that connects a pair of identical sister chromatids, which are the two copies of a single chromosome that are formed after DNA replication 

metaphase plate

an imaginary plane at the cell’s equator where chromosomes align during metaphase of mitosis 

cytokinesis

final stage of cell cycle following mitosis, where the cell’s cytoplasm divides into two distinct daughter cells, each containing a complete set of chromosomes and organelles 

cleavage furrow

shallow groove or indentation that forms on the surface of the cell membrane during cytokinesis to divide the cell into two daughter cells 

daughter cells 

new cells produced form a parent cell during cell division