WQWA

Genome

The complete collection of an organism's genetic information.

Sister chromatids

Chromosomes have two identical parts called.

Karyotype

A pictorial arrangement of a full set of chromosomes.

46 chromosomes

How many chromosomes humans possess (23 pairs).

XX

The type of sex chromosomes that human females possess.

XY

The type of sex chromosomes that human males possess.

Asexual reproduction

Mitosis is a type of sexual/asexual reproduction.

S phase

The part of interphase where DNA is replicated.

Anaphase

Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles.

Metaphase

Chromosomes align on the equator.

Cytokinesis

Division of the cell's cytoplasm.

Prophase

Chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope breaks down.

Telophase

Chromosomes de-condense and the nuclear envelope reforms.

Centromere

The structure that holds together sister chromatids.

46 chromosomes

Somatic cells contain how many chromosomes.

Cell cycle

G1 phase, S phase, G2 phase (Interphase), Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, Cytokinesis.

Chromatin, chromatids, and chromosomes

Chromatin is the loosely packed form of DNA found in non-dividing cells; Chromatids are the identical copies of DNA after replication that make up a chromosome; Chromosomes are the condensed structures of DNA and proteins visible during cell division.

Metaphase

In which mitotic phase do the chromosomes line up on the equatorial plate.

Anaphase

What event occurs during anaphase: The sister chromatids separate.

Centromere

What is the name for the part of the chromosome that joins the two chromatids.

Interphase

What event occurs during interphase: DNA synthesis.

Central dogma

DNA contains genetic instructions that are transcribed into mRNA, which is then translated by ribosomes into proteins.

Karyokinesis and cytokinesis

Usually are partially overlapping events.

Mitosis

The process of nuclear division.

Correct order of phases

G1, S, G2, mitosis, cytokinesis.

G2 phase

The process that occurs during the G2 phase: Synthesis of molecules and structures necessary for mitosis.

Mitosis phases order

Beginning with interphase, the correct order for the subsequent phases of mitosis: Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.

Cancer treatments

Surgery to remove tumors, radiation therapy to kill cancer cells, chemotherapy using drugs to kill cancer cells, immunotherapy to help the immune system fight cancer, targeted therapy to attack specific cancer cell features, hormone therapy to block hormones that fuel certain cancers.

Cancer risk factors

Tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, ultraviolet radiation exposure, certain viral infections (HPV, hepatitis), poor diet, lack of physical activity, obesity, genetic predisposition, age, environmental pollutants, radiation exposure.

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is programmed cell death, a controlled process where cells self-destruct.

Functions of cell processes

Removing damaged or potentially dangerous cells, maintaining tissue homeostasis, shaping developing tissues, and regulating immune responses.

Adaptive therapies in cancer

Adaptive therapies acknowledge that cancer cells evolve through natural selection, maintaining a stable population of treatment-sensitive cells to suppress resistant cells, prolonging patient survival.

Mitosis

Cells divide through mitosis, where DNA is replicated and distributed equally to daughter cells, followed by cytokinesis to divide the cytoplasm, resulting in genetically identical daughter cells.

Roles of mitosis, meiosis, and fertilization

Mitosis produces genetically identical cells for growth and repair; meiosis creates haploid gametes (eggs and sperm) with genetic diversity; fertilization combines egg and sperm to form a diploid zygote that develops into a new individual.

Steps of DNA replication

Helicase unwinds DNA; topoisomerase relieves tension; primase creates RNA primers; DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to new strands; ligase joins Okazaki fragments; proofreading enzymes check for errors.

Features of DNA for semiconservative replication

DNA's complementary base pairing (A-T, G-C), antiparallel strands, and double-helix structure allow each strand to serve as a template for a new complementary strand.

Binary fission in prokaryotic cells

DNA replicates, copies attach to the cell membrane, the cell elongates, a new cell wall forms at midcell, and the cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Folding of replicated DNA into chromosomes

DNA wraps around histone proteins forming nucleosomes, which coil into chromatin fibers. These fibers condense further into chromatin loops, which coil tightly to form visible chromosomes during cell division.

Stages of the cell cycle in eukaryotic cells

G1 (cell growth and normal functions), S (DNA replication), G2 (preparation for mitosis), M phase (mitosis and cytokinesis), with G0 as an optional resting phase.

Phases of mitosis

Prophase (chromosomes condense, nuclear envelope breaks down), Metaphase (chromosomes align at equator), Anaphase (sister chromatids separate to opposite poles), Telophase (nuclear envelopes reform, chromosomes decondense), followed by Cytokinesis (cell division).

Cell cycle checkpoints and cancer

Cell cycle checkpoints monitor DNA damage and proper completion of cell cycle stages. When these checkpoints fail due to mutations, cells with damaged DNA can continue dividing uncontrollably, leading to cancer.

Oncogenes

Oncogenes are mutated versions of normal genes that promote excessive cell growth and division when activated.

Tumor suppressor genes

Tumor suppressor genes normally prevent cancer by regulating cell division and promoting apoptosis; when inactivated by mutations, they allow uncontrolled cell growth.