Topic 4 The Cell Cycle

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to the cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis, and cancer biology, helping students understand key concepts and terminology in cellular biology.

Cell Cycle

The series of events that take place in a cell that causes it to divide into two daughter cells.

Mitosis

The process in which a eukaryotic cell nucleus splits into two nuclei, leading to cell division.

Meiosis

The process in which sexually-reproducing organisms create gametes with half the required genetic material.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle during which the cell prepares for division, comprising G1, S, and G2 phases.

Cyclins

Proteins that regulate the cell cycle by controlling the transition between different stages.

Checkpoints

Regulatory points in the cell cycle that ensure appropriate progression and preparation for cell division.

Aneuploidy

A condition involving an abnormal number of chromosomes, which can lead to cancer.

Oncogenes

Genes that, when mutated, can promote uncontrolled cell division and lead to cancer.

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes that inhibit cell division; mutations can lead to cancer.

Cytokinesis

The physical process of cell division that separates the cytoplasm of a parental cell into two daughter cells.

Chiasmata

Points at which paired chromosomes remain in contact during the first metaphase of meiosis and where crossing over occurs.

Synapsis

The pairing of homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

Zygote

A diploid cell that results from the fusion of two haploid gametes.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death, which can be triggered if DNA damage is irreparable.

Germ Cells

Reproductive cells that are immortal; they give rise to gametes.

Cell Differentiation

The process through which cells develop into distinct types with specialized functions.

M Phase

The phase of the cell cycle in which mitosis and cytokinesis occur.

Sister Chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome connected by a centromere after DNA replication.

Cohesin

A protein complex that holds sister chromatids together during cell division.

Segregation

The process of separating sister chromatids or homologous chromosomes into daughter cells during cell division.

Spindle Apparatus

A structure that organizes microtubules to separate sister chromatids during cell division.

Regenerative Medicine

A field of medicine focused on repairing or replacing damaged cells, tissues, or organs, often involving stem cells.

Slime mold amoebas secrete _________ when nutrients become scare

cAMP - to signal starvation and trigger aggregation.

What type of cell communicates through a circuit?

Neurons, specialized for signal transmission.

Phototropism

The growth of plants in response to light direction, characterized by bending towards the light source.

Auxin

A plant hormone that regulates growth, particularly in response to light and gravity.

Direct signaling

is a communication method where cells directly interact through receptor-ligand binding (gap junctions), allowing for immediate responses.

Contact dependent signaling

is a form of direct signaling where cells communicate through direct interaction of membrane-bound proteins, facilitating localized effects.

Autocrine signaling

is a form of cell signaling in which a cell produces signals that bind to receptors on its own surface, influencing its own behavior or function.

Paracrine signaling

is a form of cell signaling where cells produce signals that affect nearby target cells, leading to localized effects in the surrounding tissue.

Endocrine signaling

is a type of signaling where cells release hormones into the bloodstream to reach distant target cells, enabling widespread and long-lasting effects throughout the body.

Signal transduction pathway

is a series of biochemical events and interactions that occur within a cell after it receives a signal, leading to a cellular response.

Ligand

is a molecule that binds to a receptor to initiate a signaling response in the target cell. Can be a lipid hormone, peptide or metabolite