Unit 4: The Cell Cycle Vocab

DNA Replication

producing 2 identical DNA replicas from 2 original DNA molecule *“makes a copy”*

Interphase

**longest phase** of the cell cycle; includes growth 1, synthesis, and growth 2

Mitosis

asexual reproduction of a cell; parent cell divides into 2 identical daughter cells

Prophase

**1st stage** of **mitosis;** nucleus begins to disappear, centrioles migrate to opposite poles

Metaphase

**2nd stage** of **mitosis;** spindle fibers from centrioles attach to homologous chromosomes and pull them to the ***middle*** of the cell

Anaphase

**3rd stage** of **mitosis;** centrioles pull homologous chromosomes ***apart***

Telophase

**4th stage** of **mitosis;** nucleus appears, cleavage, 2 daughter cells (identical), spindle fibers disappear

Cytokinesis

**last phase** of the **cell cycle;** cytoplasm divides (cleavage) and creates 2 new daughter cells

Somatic cells

body that have 46 chromosomes (23 from each parent) undergo mitiosis

Chromosome

packaged DNA; humans have 46 in each cell (23 from each parent)

Diploid cell

the 2 cells at the end of mitosis; each contain 46 chromosomes

Meiosis

a single cell divides twice to produce four cells containing 1/2 the original amount of genetic information

Haploid cell

the four cells at the end of meiosis; each contains 1/2 the number of chromosomes (23)

Gamete

organism’s reproductive cells (sex cells); sperm and egg cells

Crossing over

a gene from 1 chromosome switches to another bring meiosis; leads to genetic information

Independent Assortment

chromosomes line up independently (randomly) during meiosis; leads to genetic variation