Cell cycle, mitosis, and cytokinesis

prophase

first and longest phase of mitosis, during which the chromosomes become visible and the centrioles separate and take up positions on the opposite sides of the nucleus

metaphase

second phase of mitosis, during which the chromosomes line up across the center of the cell

anaphase

the third phase of mitosis, during which the chromosome pairs separate and move toward opposite poles

telophase

the final phase of cell division, between anaphase and interphase, in which the chromatids or chromosomes move to opposite ends of the cell and two nuclei are formed.

sister chromatids

identical copies of a chromosome copies made during S phase of interphase

centromere

area where the chromatids of a chromosome are attached

spindle fibers

protein structures which move the chromosomes during cell division.

centriole

A structure that functions as an organizing microtubules during cell division

mitosis

part of eukaryotic cell division during which the cell nucleus divides

nuclear division

the division of a cell's nucleus, as in mitosis and meiosis

cell cycle

series of events that cells go through as they grow and divide

equator of the cell

metaphase plate where duplicated chromosomes line-up

cytokinesis

division of the cytoplasm and cell parts

asexual reproduction

a reproductive process that involves only one parent and produces offspring that are identical to the parent.

binary fission

a form of asexual reproduction in single-celled organisms by which one cell divides into two cells of the same size

synthesis (S) phase

the phase of the cell cycle during which DNA is synthesized to be used in the double-set chromatids (chromosomes) in prophase

G1 phase

the first gap, or growth phase, of the cell cycle, consisting of the portion of interphase before DNA synthesis begins.

G2 phase

the second growth phase of the cell cycle, consisting of the portion of interphase after DNA synthesis occurs.

cancer

any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division

chemotherapy

The use of drugs to treat diseases such as cancer by targeting cells at different phases of the cell cycle

apoptosis

programmed cell death

carcinogen

a cancer-causing substance