Cell and Nuclear Division

Flashcards covering key terms related to cell and nuclear division.

Genome

The complete set of genetic material (DNA) in an organism.

Cytokinesis

The process of the cell physically dividing its cytoplasm, organelles, and plasma membrane.

Homologous Chromosomes

Pairs of chromosomes consisting of one from each parent that contain the same genes at the same loci but may have different alleles.

Diploid

A cell that contains two sets of chromosomes, represented by 2n; in humans, this is 46 chromosomes.

Haploid

A cell that contains one set of chromosomes, represented by n; in humans, this is 23 chromosomes.

Mitosis

The process of nuclear division that results in two genetically identical daughter nuclei.

Meiosis

A specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four genetically unique haploid cells.

Sister Chromatids

Identical copies of a single chromosome that are connected by a centromere.

Cyclins

Proteins that regulate the cell cycle by activating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).

Non-disjunction

The failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate properly during cell division, leading to gametes with abnormal chromosome numbers.