Biology Cell Division, Mitosis, Meiosis, and Differentiation Key Concepts

What are totipotent cells?

Cells that are able to develop into any type of cell found in the body, including cells that make up extraembryonic membranes and the placenta.

What is differentiation in cell biology?

The process in which cells become specialized in structure and function.

What occurs during prophase of mitosis?

The first and longest phase of mitosis in which the genetic material inside the nucleus condenses and chromosomes become visible.

What is a tetrad

A structure containing four chromatids that forms during meiosis.

What is crossing over?

A genetic process that occurs during meiosis when homologous chromosomes from each parent exchange portions. (prophase 1)

What is the role of centrioles in cell division?

Structures in an animal cell that help organize cell division.(Spindle Fibers)

What is cytokinesis?

The process of division of the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells.

What is the definition of diploid?

A term that describes a cell or organism with two complete sets of homologous chromosomes. 46 Chromosomes; Stomatic cells

What is the significance of the cell cycle?

A series of events in which a cell grows, prepares for division, and divides to form two daughter cells.

What is apoptosis?

The process of programmed cell death.

What are growth factors?

External regulatory proteins that stimulate the growth and division of cells. (External)

What is a blastocyst?

A stage of early development in mammals that consists of a hollow ball of cells. (Has Stem Cells)

What is the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction?

Asexual reproduction involves a single parent resulting in genetically identical offspring, while sexual reproduction involves cells from two parents uniting to form a new organism.

Telophase

phase of mitosis in which the distinct individual chromosomes begin to spread out into a tangle of chromatin (Nuclear envelopes form)

Metaphase

phase of mitosis in which the chromosomes line up across the center of the cell

Mitosis

part of eukaryotic cell division during which the cell nucleus divides; Makes body cells

Stem cell

unspecialized cell that can give rise to one or more types of specialized cells

Meiosis

process in which the number of chromosomes per cell is cut in half through the separation of homologous chromosomes in a diploid cell (Makes our reproductive cells)

Homologous

Used to refer to chromosomes in which one set comes from the male and one set come from female

Embryo

developing stage of a multicellular organism

Cancer

disorder in which some of the body's cells lose the ability to control growth

cell division

Process by which a cell divides into two new daughter cells

Chromatin

Substance found in eukaryotic chromosomes that consists of DNA tightly coiled around histones

Centromere

Region of a chromosome where the two sister chromatids attach

What is a chromosome?

A threadlike structure within the nucleus that contains genetic information.

What is a tumor?

A mass of rapidly dividing cells that cav damage surrounding tissue.

What is the role of cyclins in the cell cycle?

Proteins that regulate the cell cycle in eukaryotic cells. (Internal)

What is the definition of haploid?

A term used to refer to cells containing a single set of genes. (sex cells; egg or sprem) 23 chromosoms

What happens during anaphase of mitosis?

The phase in which the chromosomes separate and move to opposite ends of the cell.

What is interphase?

The period of the cell cycle between cell divisions in which the cell grows. (longest period of cell cycle including G1, S, and G2)

What is a chromatid?

One of two identical sister parts of a duplicated chromosome.

What is multipotent?

Cells that have limited potential to develop into many types of differentiated cells.

What is pluripotent?

Cells that are capable of developing into most, but not all, of the body's cell types.

Stomatic cells

any cell of a living organism other than the reproductive cells.

Nondisjunction

The reason why there is abnormals amount of chromosomes in Haploid cells (gamete)

Gamete

Reproductive cells, like sperm and eggs, that are produced through a type of cell division called meiosis