Cell Theory and Reproduction: Mitosis and Meiosis

What is abiogenesis?

The idea that life forms arise from non-living matter.

What is biogenesis?

The concept that development of life can only come from pre-existing life.

What did Jan Baptista's experiment suggest about spontaneous generation?

He believed that wheat could produce mice, supporting the idea of spontaneous generation.

What was Francesco Redi's experiment about?

He tested whether decaying meat produced maggots by placing meat in covered and uncovered flasks.

What did Francesco Redi conclude from his experiment?

Maggots appeared only in the open flask, disproving the idea that decaying meat produced maggots.

Who is known as the father of microbiology?

Antony van Leeuwenhoek.

What did Antony van Leeuwenhoek discover with his microscope?

He discovered small organisms, which he called 'animalcules'.

What was Louis Pasteur's contribution to disproving spontaneous generation?

He conducted the Swan neck experiment and hypothesized that microorganisms in the air could produce life.

What is the cell theory?

1. All living organisms are composed of cells. 2. Cells are the basic units of structure and function in all living things. 3. All cells come from pre-existing cells.

What distinguishes animal cells from plant cells?

Animal cells lack chloroplasts and a cell wall, are roundish, and have smaller vacuoles, while plant cells have chloroplasts, a cell wall, are squareish, and have larger vacuoles.

What are the characteristics of a living organism?

Made of cells, growth, reproduction, energy use, response to stimuli, excretion, respiration, movement, and DNA.

What is DNA?

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a complex molecule that stores information and directs cell activities.

What is the significance of cell division?

It is essential for healing, tissue repair, growth, and reproduction.

What are the phases of the cell cycle?

Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, and Cytokinesis.

What occurs during interphase?

The cell grows and prepares for division by duplicating its DNA.

What happens during prophase?

Chromosomes become visible, the nuclear membrane dissolves, and spindle fibers begin to form.

What is cytokinesis?

The process of splitting the cytoplasm to form two daughter cells.

What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?

Mitosis produces 2 identical diploid cells, while meiosis produces 4 genetically different haploid cells.

What is asexual reproduction?

Reproduction involving one parent that replicates itself without mixing DNA.

What are some types of asexual reproduction?

Budding, fragmentation, spores, vegetative reproduction, and binary fission.

What is binary fission?

A form of asexual reproduction where a parent cell undergoes mitosis to produce a daughter cell.

What is crossing over in meiosis?

The exchange of equal segments between homologous chromosomes, creating genetic diversity.

What are haploid and diploid cells?

Haploid cells contain one set of chromosomes (23 in humans), while diploid cells contain two sets (46 in humans).

What is the role of centrioles during cell division?

They facilitate cell reproduction and aid in the formation of spindle fibers.

What is the significance of the tetrad in meiosis?

It refers to the paired homologous chromosomes during the first division of meiosis.

What happens during telophase in mitosis?

The nuclear membrane reforms, and the cell prepares to split into two daughter cells.

What is the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?

Sexual reproduction involves two parents mixing DNA, while asexual reproduction involves one parent.