Term | Definition |
Cell Cycle | The life cycle of a cell; in eukaryotes, it consists of a cell-growth period in which DNA is synthesized and a cell division period in which mitosis takes place |
Mitosis | in eukaryotic cells, a process of cell division that forms two new nuclei, each of which has the same number of chromosomes |
Cytokinesis | The division of the cytoplasm of a cell; cytokinesis follows the division of the cell's nucleus by mitosis or meiosis |
Chromosome | in a eukaryotic cell one of the structures in the nucleus that are made up of DNA and protein; in a prokaryotic cell the main ring of DNA |
Histone | A type of protein molecule found in the chromosomes of eukaryotic cells but not prokaryotic cells |
Chromatin | the substance that composes eukaryotic chromosomes; it consists of specific proteins DNA and small amounts of RNA |
Chromatid | One of the two strands of a chromosome that became visible during meiosis or mitosis |
Centromere | the region of the chromosomes that holds the two sister chromatids together during mitosis |
Telomere | the region at the tip of a chromosome; a region of repeating DNA sequences that forms one of the end points of the DNA segment that makes up a chromosome |
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 of the cell |
Metaphase | Second phase of mitosis when spindle fibers align the chromosomes along the cell equator |
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 |
Growth Factor | Broad group of proteins that stimulate cell division |
Apoptosis | Programmed cell death |
Cancer | A type of disorder of cell growth that results in invasion and destruction of surrounding healthy tissue by abnormal cells |
Benign | Having no dangerous effect on health, especially referring to an abnormal growth of cells that are not cancerous |
Malignant | A cancerous tumor in which cells break away and spread to other parts of the body, causing harm to the organism's health |
Metastasize | To spread by transferring a disease-causing agent from the site of the disease to other parts of the body |
Carcinogen | Carcinogen substance that produces or promotes the development of cancer |
Asexual Reproduction | Reproduction that does not involve the union of gametes and in which a single parent produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent |
Binary Fission | A form of asexual reproduction in single-celled organisms by which one cell divides into two cells of the same size |
Tissue | A group of similar cells that perform a common function |
Organ | A collection of tissues that carry out a specialized function of the body |
Organ System | Two or more organs that work in a coordinated way to carry out similar functions |
Cell Differentiation | The process by which a cell becomes specialized for a specific structure or function during multicellular development |
Stem Cell | Cell that can divide for long periods of time while remaining undifferentiated |