Term | Definition |
Nuclear division | The process by which a nucleus divides, resulting in the separation of the genome to opposite poles of a dividing cell. This occurs in both mitosis and meiosis. |
Chromatin | The material of which the chromosomes of organisms other than bacteria are composed. It consisted of protein, RNA, and DNA. |
Karyotype | The number and visual appearance of the chromosomes in the cell nuclei of an organism or species. |
Diploid | (Of cell or nucleus) containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent. |
Homologous pairs | Chromosomes pairs, one from each parent, that are similar in length and gene location. |
Sex chromosomes | A chromosomes involved with determining the sex of an organism, typically one of two kinds |
Haploid | (Of cell or nucleus) having a single set of unpaired chromosomes |
Autosomes | Any chromosomes that is not a sex chromosomes |
Chromatids | Each of the two threadlike strands into which a chromosomes divides longitudinally during cell division. Each contains a double helix of DNA. |
Centromere | The point on a chromosomes by which it is attached to a spindle fiber during cell division. |
Locus | The particular positions on homologous chromosomes of a gene |
Allele | One of the alternative forms of a gene that governs a characteristics such as hair color |
Carrier | An individual that has one copy of a recessive allele that causes a genetic disease in individuals that are homozygous for this allele. |
Mitosis | part of the cell cycle in which cell divison occurs, made up of four cells |
Meiosis | a process in cell division during which the number of chromosomes decreases to half the original number by two divisions of the nucleus which results in the procedure of sex cells. |
Centrioles | a minute cylindrical organelle near the nucleus in animal cells, occurring in pairs and involved in the development of spindle fibers in cell division. |
Spindles | Forms near nucleus, during mitosis or meiosis in which it draws the chromosomes to opposite poles or the cell. |
Cytokinesis | The cytoplasmic division of a cell at the end of mitosis or meiosis, bringing about the separation into two daughter cells. |
Cell plate | Develops a the midpoint between the two groups of chromosomes in a dividing cell and that is involved in forming the wall between the two new daughter cells. |
Cleavage | The act of splitting of a cell, particularly during the telophase of (animal) cell division. |
Budding | Form of asexual reproduction in which a new organism develops from an outgrowth or bud due to cell division at one particular site. |
Cancer | Abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. |
Mutagen | A physical or chemical agent that changes the genetic material usually DNA and increases frequency of mutations |
Benign | Cells growth that do not invade other parts of the body |
Malignant | Cell growth that do not invade other cells |
Metastasis | The spread from part of body to another. |