mitosis, meiosis quiz

mitosis

type of eukaryotic cell division that results in two identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Mitosis is essential for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in organisms.

meiosis

type of eukaryotic cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four genetically diverse daughter cells. Meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction in organisms (produces sperm, egg cells)

chromosome

structure composed of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information within the cell’s nucleus and is visible during cell division.

chromatin

substance made of DNA and proteins that condenses to form chromosomes during cell division- found in nucleus.

chromatid

one half of a duplicated chromosome, consisting of a single strand of DNA that is joined to its sister chromatid by a centromere. Chromatids separate during cell division to ensure each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.

histone

a type of protein that helps package and stabilize DNA into a compact form known as chromatin (building blocks of chromatin), does gene regulation.

nucleosome

the fundamental unit of chromatin, DNA packaging in eukaryotic cells, consisting of a segment of DNA wrapped around a core of histone proteins.

cell cycle

ordered sequence of events that leads to cell division

g1 phase

the first phase of the cell cycle, characterized by cell growth, metabolism, and preparation for DNA synthesis.

s stage

the phase in the cell cycle where DNA replication, dna is copied, occurs, resulting in two sister chromatids for each chromosome.

g2 phase

the second growth phase of the cell cycle, following DNA synthesis, where the cell prepares for division by producing proteins and organelles, checks for errors andcontinues to grow

m phase

when a cell divides its replicated DNA and cytoplasm to form two new daughter cells; two parts are where nucleus divides, and cytokinesis.

g0 phase

state where cell exists,, not planning to divide

interphase

longest phase of the cell cycle, cell grows and replicates, preps for mitosis

prophase

First stage of mitosis, during which chromatin condenses into chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the spindle apparatus begins to form.

metaphase

Second stage of mitosis, where chromosomes align at the cell's equatorial plane, attached to spindle fibers and fully condensed.

anaphase

Third stage of mitosis and meiosis, where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell, ensuring each new cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes.

telophase

Final stage of mitosis, where chromosomes decondense back into chromatin, the nuclear envelope re-forms, and the spindle apparatus disassembles, the duplicated chromosomes arrive at opposite sides of the cell creating two distinct nuclei.

cytokinesis

The process that follows telophase, where the cytoplasm divides to form two separate daughter cells, each with a complete set of chromosomes, completing cell division after the nucleus has divided

spindle

A structure made of microtubules made during cell division to segregate chromosomes

chromatin vs chromatid vs chromosome

Chromatin is the less condensed, thread-like form of DNA, often active in gene expression. A chromosome is a highly condensed structure made of DNA and proteins, visible during cell division. Chromatids are the two identical strands that make up a chromosome after it has replicated, joined together at the centromere.