Cellular Reproduction & Inheritance

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to cellular reproduction and inheritance, including processes, stages, and important concepts.

Cell Division

The process by which a cell divides into two or more daughter cells; plays a key role in growth, repair, and reproduction.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell.

Meiosis

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

Binary Fission

Asexual reproduction method in which a prokaryotic cell divides into two equal parts.

Sister Chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome, connected at a region called the centromere, produced during DNA replication.

Chromatin

The loosely packed form of DNA present in the nucleus during interphase, which condenses to form chromosomes during cell division.

Centromere

The region of a chromosome where the two sister chromatids are joined together.

Cytokinesis

The process that divides the cytoplasm of a parental cell into two daughter cells, usually occurring after mitosis.

Diploid

A cell or organism that has two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

Haploid

A cell that contains only one set of chromosomes, as seen in gametes.

Crossing Over

A process during prophase I of meiosis where homologous chromosomes exchange segments, increasing genetic diversity.

Cancer

A group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell division and growth, often due to mutations in genes regulating the cell cycle.

Homologous Chromosomes

Pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent, that are similar in shape, size, and genetic content.

Gametes

Haploid reproductive cells (sperm and eggs) that fuse during fertilization to form a diploid zygote.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell grows and duplicates its DNA before mitosis.

Mitosis Stages

The stages of mitosis include Prophase, Prometaphase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.