Cell Division and Mitosis: Key Concepts for Biology

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle consisting of G1, S, and G2 stages.

G1

The first growth phase of interphase.

S

The synthesis phase of interphase where DNA is replicated.

G2

The second growth phase of interphase.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm following mitosis.

Zygote

A single-celled human formed after the fusion of egg and sperm at fertilization.

Somatic cells

Body cells that divide by mitosis.

Embryo

A stage of development consisting of multiple identical cells after many divisions.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death important for cancer cell control.

Daughter cells

Cells that result from the division of a parent cell, which are identical to each other and to the parent.

Chromosome number

The number of chromosomes remains constant during cell division.

Diploid number

The total number of chromosomes in each somatic cell, one set from each parent.

Haploid number

The number of chromosomes in sex cells.

Unreplicated chromosome

A chromosome consisting of one chromatid.

Replicated chromosome

A chromosome consisting of two sister chromatids.

Prophase

The first phase of mitosis where centrioles move, spindle forms, and chromosomes become visible.

Metaphase

The phase of mitosis where chromosomes align on the metaphase plate.

Anaphase

The phase of mitosis where sister chromatids are pulled apart.

Telophase

The final phase of mitosis where the spindle disappears and the nuclear envelope reassembles.

Cleavage furrow

The indentation that begins the process of cytokinesis in animal cells.

Cell plate

The structure that forms during cytokinesis in plant cells to build a new cell wall.