Mitosis and Meiosis

Cell Cycle

a series of events that cells go through as they grow and divide. a cell grows, prepares for division, and divides to form two daughter cells, each of which then begins the cycle again

Interphase

phase of the cell cycle in which a typical cell spends most of its life. Interphase is the 'daily living' or metabolic phase of the cell, in which the cell obtains nutrients and metabolizes them, grows, replicates its DNA in preparation for mitosis, and conducts other "normal" cell functions

S phase

stands for synthesis, DNA replication. To make DNA easier to move & replicate, the cell packages the DNA into chromosomes

G1 phase

cells receive a signal and enter into a stage of growth. They also prepare to have their DNA replicated

G2 phase

Preparation for Mitosis, growth

Mitosis

The stage of the cell cycle where the cell divides. Starts with one diploid cell (two sets of chromosomes) (2n) and ends with two diploid cells (2n). Growth, development, and repair

Homologous Chromosomes

Look alike and carry genes for the same trait. Same size, same shape, same organization

Centromere

structure in a chromosome that holds together the two chromatids

Asexual reproduction

involves one parent and produces offspring that are genetically identical to each other and to the parent. a mode of reproduction in which a new offspring is produced by a single parent

Prophase

Chromosomes become visible. Spindle fibers appear. Nuclear membrane (envelope) disappears

Metaphase

Spindle fibers have attached to all the chromosomes. Chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell (metaphase plate). Meta- “Middle”. Before proceeding there is a checkpoint to make sure all chromosomes are lined up correctly

Anaphase

Sister chromosomes are separated and pulled to opposite ends of the cell. Microtubules push the cell apart, making it longer

Telophase

Mitotic spindle disappears. Two new nuclei form. The chromosomes start to “decondense”

Cytokinesis

Division of the cytoplasm. Overlaps with the final stages of replication (anaphase and telophase)

Tumor

a disease caused when cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues.

Tumor suppressor gene

normal genes that slow down cell division or tell cells to die at the right time (a process known as apoptosis or programmed cell death). When these genes don't work properly, cells can grow out of control, which can lead to cancer

Proto-oncogene

a group of genes that cause normal cells to become cancerous when they are mutated

G0 phase

Resting state- cell is outside of the cycle. Neurons are in a permanent state of this phase

Sexual reproduction

the production of new organisms by the combination of genetic information of two individuals of different sexes. an organism combines the genetic information from each of its parents and is genetically unique

Gametes

a reproductive cell of an animal or plant. sperm and egg cells

Meiosis

The process of making sperm and egg cells. a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in the parent cell by half and produces four gamete cells. This process is required to produce egg and sperm cells for sexual reproduction.

Fertilization

the union of two gametes, the process in which a new cell is formed when two gametes (sex cells) –sperm and ova fuse together

Crossing over

the exchange of DNA between paired homologous chromosomes (one from each parent) that occurs during the development of egg and sperm cells (meiosis), Exchange of DNA between homologous chromosomes (one from each parent)

Somatic cells

all the nonreproductive cells in an organism, tissue cells, nerve cells, and blood cells

Binary Fission

How bacteria cells divide and reproduce. A form of asexual reproduction. Stages: Parent cell-> DNA duplicates-> Cytoplasm divides-> 2 daughter cells are formed