Biology Lecture on Reproduction and Cell Division

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from a biology lecture on reproduction, the cell cycle, and cell division, helping students prepare for their exams.

What is the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?

Asexual reproduction produces genetic copies (clones) of the parent; sexual reproduction involves gametes (sperm and egg) leading to genetic variation in offspring.

What are somatic cells?

Somatic cells are diploid cells that contain two copies of each chromosome, totaling 46 in humans.

What are gametes and what is their ploidy?

Gametes are reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that are haploid, meaning they contain one copy of each chromosome.

What is the importance of genetic variation in offspring?

Genetic variation allows for some individuals to have natural resistance to diseases, increasing the chances of survival for the next generation.

In the context of cell biology, what does 'diploid' refer to?

Diploid refers to cells that contain two complete sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent.

What are homologous chromosomes?

Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that are similar in length, gene position, and centromere location, one from each parent.

What is the process of fertilization?

Fertilization is the action where sperm and egg join together to form a zygote, resulting in a new organism.

What are sister chromatids?

Sister chromatids are identical copies of a chromosome, joined together before cell division.

What role do telomeres play in chromosomes?

Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, preventing damage during DNA replication.

What is the cell cycle?

The cell cycle encompasses the stages through which a cell goes from creation to division, including interphase and the mitotic phase.

What are cyclins in relation to the cell cycle?

Cyclins are proteins that regulate the cell cycle and ensure that each phase is completed accurately before moving to the next.

What defines apoptosis?

Apoptosis is programmed cell death that occurs naturally in the body as a part of growth and development.

How does meiosis differ from mitosis?

Meiosis reduces the ploidy of cells from diploid to haploid and consists of two rounds of division, resulting in four genetically varied daughter cells.

What is crossing over in meiosis?

Crossing over is the process during prophase I of meiosis where homologous chromosomes exchange segments, increasing genetic variability.

What is the function of the nuclear membrane during mitosis?

The nuclear membrane protects the DNA and disintegrates during prophase to allow chromosomes to move freely during cell division.

What happens during cytokinesis?

Cytokinesis is the process where the cytoplasmic material of a cell is divided to form two separate new cells following mitosis.

What is necrosis?

Necrosis is the death of cells that occurs due to pathological conditions, meaning cells die before their natural time.

What is senescence?

Senescence is the biological process that leads to cellular aging and eventual cell death due to cumulative damage over time.

What is the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?

Asexual reproduction produces genetic copies (clones) of the parent; sexual reproduction involves gametes (sperm and egg) leading to genetic variation in offspring.

What are somatic cells?

Somatic cells are diploid cells that contain two copies of each chromosome, totaling 46 in humans.

What are gametes and what is their ploidy?

Gametes are reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that are haploid, meaning they contain one copy of each chromosome.

What is the importance of genetic variation in offspring?

Genetic variation allows for some individuals to have natural resistance to diseases, increasing the chances of survival for the next generation.

In the context of cell biology, what does 'diploid' refer to?

Diploid refers to cells that contain two complete sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent.

What are homologous chromosomes?

Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that are similar in length, gene position, and centromere location, one from each parent.

What is the process of fertilization?

Fertilization is the action where sperm and egg join together to form a zygote, resulting in a new organism.

What are sister chromatids?

Sister chromatids are identical copies of a chromosome, joined together before cell division.

What role do telomeres play in chromosomes?

Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, preventing damage during DNA replication.

What is the cell cycle?

The cell cycle encompasses the stages through which a cell goes from creation to division, including interphase and the mitotic phase.

What are cyclins in relation to the cell cycle?

Cyclins are proteins that regulate the cell cycle and ensure that each phase is completed accurately before moving to the next.

What defines apoptosis?

Apoptosis is programmed cell death that occurs naturally in the body as a part of growth and development.

How does meiosis differ from mitosis?

Meiosis reduces the ploidy of cells from diploid to haploid and consists of two rounds of division, resulting in four genetically varied daughter cells.

What is crossing over in meiosis?

Crossing over is the process during prophase I of meiosis where homologous chromosomes exchange segments, increasing genetic variability.

What is the function of the nuclear membrane during mitosis?

The nuclear membrane protects the DNA and disintegrates during prophase to allow chromosomes to move freely during cell division.

What happens during cytokinesis?

Cytokinesis is the process where the cytoplasmic material of a cell is divided to form two separate new cells following mitosis.

What is necrosis?

Necrosis is the death of cells that occurs due to pathological conditions, meaning cells die before their natural time.

What is senescence?

Senescence is the biological process that leads to cellular aging and eventual cell death due to cumulative damage over time.

What are the three main phases of interphase and their functions?

G1 (cell growth and normal metabolic roles), S (DNA replication), and G2 (further growth and preparation for mitosis).

Label the main stages of mitosis.

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.

What is the primary role of spindle fibers during cell division?

Spindle fibers (microtubules) attach to chromosomes (at kinetochores) and pull them apart to opposite poles of the cell, ensuring equal distribution of genetic material.

What is the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?

Asexual reproduction produces genetic copies (clones) of the parent; sexual reproduction involves gametes (sperm and egg) leading to genetic variation in offspring.

What are somatic cells?

Somatic cells are diploid cells that contain two copies of each chromosome, totaling 46 in humans.

What are gametes and what is their ploidy?

Gametes are reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that are haploid, meaning they contain one copy of each chromosome.

What is the importance of genetic variation in offspring?

Genetic variation allows for some individuals to have natural resistance to diseases, increasing the chances of survival for the next generation.

In the context of cell biology, what does 'diploid' refer to?

Diploid refers to cells that contain two complete sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent.

What are homologous chromosomes?

Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that are similar in length, gene position, and centromere location, one from each parent.

What is the process of fertilization?

Fertilization is the action where sperm and egg join together to form a zygote, resulting in a new organism.

What are sister chromatids?

Sister chromatids are identical copies of a chromosome, joined together before cell division.

What role do telomeres play in chromosomes?

Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, preventing damage during DNA replication.

What is the cell cycle?

The cell cycle encompasses the stages through which a cell goes from creation to division, including interphase and the mitotic phase.

What are cyclins in relation to the cell cycle?

Cyclins are proteins that regulate the cell cycle and ensure that each phase is completed accurately before moving to the next.

What defines apoptosis?

Apoptosis is programmed cell death that occurs naturally in the body as a part of growth and development.

How does meiosis differ from mitosis?

Meiosis reduces the ploidy of cells from diploid to haploid and consists of two rounds of division, resulting in four genetically varied daughter cells.

What is crossing over in meiosis?

Crossing over is the process during prophase I of meiosis where homologous chromosomes exchange segments, increasing genetic variability.

What is the function of the nuclear membrane during mitosis?

The nuclear membrane protects the DNA and disintegrates during prophase to allow chromosomes to move freely during cell division.

What happens during cytokinesis?

Cytokinesis is the process where the cytoplasmic material of a cell is divided to form two separate new cells following mitosis.

What is necrosis?

Necrosis is the death of cells that occurs due to pathological conditions, meaning cells die before their natural time.

What is senescence?

Senescence is the biological process that leads to cellular aging and eventual cell death due to cumulative damage over time.

What are the three main phases of interphase and their functions?

G1 (cell growth and normal metabolic roles), S (DNA replication), and G2 (further growth and preparation for mitosis).

Label the main stages of mitosis.

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.

What is the primary role of spindle fibers during cell division?

Spindle fibers (microtubules) attach to chromosomes (at kinetochores) and pull them apart to opposite poles of the cell, ensuring equal distribution of genetic material.

What is a kinetochore?

A kinetochore is a protein structure on chromatids where the spindle fibers attach during cell division to pull the chromosomes apart.

What is a centromere?

A centromere is the constricted region of a chromosome that links sister chromatids and serves as the attachment point for spindle fibers.

What is a zygote?

A zygote is a diploid cell formed when two haploid gametes (egg and sperm) fuse during fertilization, marking the beginning of a new organism's development.

What is the primary purpose of mitosis?

The primary purpose of mitosis is to produce two genetically identical daughter cells for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction.

What is the primary purpose of meiosis?

The primary purpose of meiosis is to produce four haploid, genetically diverse gametes for sexual reproduction.

What is independent assortment?

Independent assortment is Mendel's principle stating that the alleles of two (or more) different genes get sorted into gametes independently of one another, leading to diverse combinations of genes in the offspring.

What is the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?

Asexual reproduction produces genetic copies (clones) of the parent; sexual reproduction involves gametes (sperm and egg) leading to genetic variation in offspring.

What are somatic cells?

Somatic cells are diploid cells that contain two copies of each chromosome, totaling 46 in humans.

What are gametes and what is their ploidy?

Gametes are reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that are haploid, meaning they contain one copy of each chromosome.

What is the importance of genetic variation in offspring?

Genetic variation allows for some individuals to have natural resistance to diseases, increasing the chances of survival for the next generation.

In the context of cell biology, what does 'diploid' refer to?

Diploid refers to cells that contain two complete sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent.

What are homologous chromosomes?

Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that are similar in length, gene position, and centromere location, one from each parent.

What is the process of fertilization?

Fertilization is the action where sperm and egg join together to form a zygote, resulting in a new organism.

What are sister chromatids?

Sister chromatids are identical copies of a chromosome, joined together before cell division.

What role do telomeres play in chromosomes?

Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, preventing damage during DNA replication.

What is the cell cycle?

The cell cycle encompasses the stages through which a cell goes from creation to division, including interphase and the mitotic phase.

What are cyclins in relation to the cell cycle?

Cyclins are proteins that regulate the cell cycle and ensure that each phase is completed accurately before moving to the next.

What defines apoptosis?

Apoptosis is programmed cell death that occurs naturally in the body as a part of growth and development.

How does meiosis differ from mitosis?

Meiosis reduces the ploidy of cells from diploid to haploid and consists of two rounds of division, resulting in four genetically varied daughter cells.

What is crossing over in meiosis?

Crossing over is the process during prophase I of meiosis where homologous chromosomes exchange segments, increasing genetic variability.

What is the function of the nuclear membrane during mitosis?

The nuclear membrane protects the DNA and disintegrates during prophase to allow chromosomes to move freely during cell division.

What happens during cytokinesis?

Cytokinesis is the process where the cytoplasmic material of a cell is divided to form two separate new cells following mitosis.

What is necrosis?

Necrosis is the death of cells that occurs due to pathological conditions, meaning cells die before their natural time.

What is senescence?

Senescence is the biological process that leads to cellular aging and eventual cell death due to cumulative damage over time.

What are the three main phases of interphase and their functions?

G1 (cell growth and normal metabolic roles), S (DNA replication), and G2 (further growth and preparation for mitosis).

Label the main stages of mitosis.

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.

What is the primary role of spindle fibers during cell division?

Spindle fibers (microtubules) attach to chromosomes (at kinetochores) and pull them apart to opposite poles of the cell, ensuring equal distribution of genetic material.

What is a kinetochore?

A kinetochore is a protein structure on chromatids where the spindle fibers attach during cell division to pull the chromosomes apart.

What is a centromere?

A centromere is the constricted region of a chromosome that links sister chromatids and serves as the attachment point for spindle fibers.

What is a zygote?

A zygote is a diploid cell formed when two haploid gametes (egg and sperm) fuse during fertilization, marking the beginning of a new organism's development.

What is the primary purpose of mitosis?

The primary purpose of mitosis is to produce two genetically identical daughter cells for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction.

What is the primary purpose of meiosis?

The primary purpose of meiosis is to produce four haploid, genetically diverse gametes for sexual reproduction.

What is independent assortment?

Independent assortment is Mendel's principle stating that the alleles of two (or more) different genes get sorted into gametes independently of one another, leading to diverse combinations of genes in the offspring.

What happens during Prophase of mitosis?

During Prophase, chromosomes condense and become visible, the nuclear envelope around the nucleus breaks down, and the mitotic spindle begins to form.

What happens during Metaphase of mitosis?

During Metaphase, the chromosomes line up along the metaphase plate (equatorial plate) in the center of the cell.

What happens during Anaphase of mitosis?

During Anaphase, sister chromatids separate from each other and are pulled towards opposite poles of the cell by the spindle fibers.

What happens during Telophase of mitosis?

During Telophase, chromosomes arrive at opposite poles and begin to decondense, nuclear envelopes reform around the two sets of chromosomes, and the mitotic spindle disappears.

What are the main stages of Meiosis I?

The main stages of Meiosis I are Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I, and Telophase I.

What are the main stages of Meiosis II?

The main stages of Meiosis II are Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II, and Telophase II.

What are the main cell cycle checkpoints?

The main cell cycle checkpoints are the G1 (restriction) checkpoint, the G2 checkpoint, and