Cellular Reproduction and Mitosis

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to cellular reproduction, mitosis, binary fission, and chromosome structure.

Zygote

A single cell produced by the fusion of a sperm cell and an egg cell that marks the beginning of life before developing into trillions of cells.

Mitosis

The eukaryotic process of cellular reproduction responsible for organismal growth, replacement of worn-out cells, repair of damaged tissues, and asexual reproduction.

Binary fission

A simple cellular reproduction process used by prokaryotes, such as bacteria and archaea, which possess only a single chromosome.

Meiosis

The process of sexual reproduction that involves sperm and egg cells.

Cell division

The phase of cellular reproduction where the contents of a parent cell that previously grew and duplicated divide into two daughter cells.

Checkpoints

Regulatory stages in the cell where progression to the next step is halted until specific prerequisites are completed, preventing cells from growing out of control.

Chromatin

The uncompacted complex of DNA plus associated proteins that appears as loose, thin threads within the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell.

Histones

Proteins located in the eukaryotic nucleus that assemble into octets of $8$ around which DNA winds twice during packaging.

Chromosomes

Tightly coiled, highly compacted structures of DNA and associated proteins that form just prior to mitosis to ensure easy distribution into daughter cells.

Cell cycle

The sequence of stages a cell undergoes from the moment it is formed following cell division until it completes its own division.