Term | Definition |
Asexual Reproduction | process by which offspring are produced from a single parent; does not involve the joining of gametes. |
Malignant | cancerous tumor in which cells break away and spread to other parts of the body, causing harm to the organism's health. |
Tissue | group of cells that work together to perform a similar function. |
Telomere | repeating nucleotide at the ends of DNA molecules that do not form genes and help prevent the loss of genes. |
Stem Cell | cell that can divide for long periods of time while remaining undifferentiated. |
Growth Factor | broad group of proteins that stimulate cell division. |
Apoptosis | programmed death cell. |
Organ | group of different types of tissues that work together to perform a specific function or related functions. |
Cytokinesis | process by which the cell cytoplasm divides. |
Mitosis | process by which a cell divides its nucleus and contents. |
Chromatin | loose combination of DNA and proteins that is present during interphase. |
Organ System | two or more organs that work in a coordinated way to carry out similar functions. |
Binary Fission | asexual reproduction in which a cell divides into two equal parts. |
Cell Differentiation | processes by which unspecialized cells develop into their mature form and function. |
Prophase | first phase of mitosis when chromatin condenses the nuclear envelope breaks down, the nucleolus disappears, and the centrosomes and centrioles migrate to opposite sides the cell. |
Carcinogen | substance that produces or promotes the development of cancer. |
Anaphase | third phase of mitosis during which chromatids separate and are pulled to opposite sides of the cell. |
Telophase | last phase of mitosis when a complete set of identical chromosomes is positioned at each pole of the cell, the nuclear membranes start to form, the chromosomes begin to uncoil, and the spindle fibers disassemble. |
Metastasize | to spread by transferring a disease-causing agent from the site to the disease to other parts of the body. |
Histone | protein that organizes chromosomes and around which DNA wraps. |
Centromere | region of condensed chromosome that looks pinched; where spindle fibers attach during meiosis and mitosis. |
Chromatid | one half of a duplicated chromosome. |
Metaphase | second phase of mitosis when spindle fibers align the chromosomes along the cell equator. |
Cancer | common name for a class of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell division. |
Benign | having no dangerous effect on health, especially referring to an abnormal growth of cells that are not cancerous. |
Chromosome | long, continuous thread of DNA that consists of numerous genes and regulatory information. |
Cell Cycle | pattern of growth, DNA replication, and cell division that occurs in a eukaryotic cell. |