Term | Definition |
cell cycle | regular pattern of growth, DNA duplication, and cell division in eukaryotic cells |
mitosis | division of the cell nucleus and its contents |
cytokinesis | process that divides the cell cytoplasm- results in two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the original cell |
chromosome | one long continuous thread of DNA that consists of numerous genes along with regulatory information |
histone | a group of proteins with which each chromosome is associated |
chromatin | the complex protein and DNA that makes up the chromosome |
chromatid | one half of a duplicated chromosome |
centromere | a region of the condensed chromosome that looks pinched- holds sister chromatids together |
telomere | formed by the end of a DNA molecule; made of repeating nucleotides that do not form genes |
prophase | chromatin condenses into tightly coiled chromosomes; nuclear envelope breaks down; centrosomes/ centrioles migrate; spindle fibers grow |
metaphase | spindle fibers attach to a protein structure on the centromere of each chromosome and align the chromosomes along the middle of the cell |
anaphase | sister chromatids separate from each other; spindle fibers begin to shorten, pulling the sister chromatids away
from each other and toward opposite sides of the cell. |
telophase | 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 fall apart. |
growth factor | broad group of proteins that stimulate cell division; bind to receptors to activate specific genes to trigger cell growth |
apoptosis | programmed cell death |
cancer | uncontrolled cell division |
benign | a tumor where cells typically remain clustered together |
malignant | a tumor where come cells break away |
metastasize | cells breaking away from a tumor |
carcinogen | substance known to produce or promote the development of cancer |
asexual reproduction | production of offspring from a single parent and does not involve the joining of gametes |
binary fission | asexual reproduction of a single-celled organism by which the cell divides into two cells of the same sixe |
tissue | groups of cells that work together to perform a similar function |
organ | groups of tissues that work together to perform a specific or related function |
organ system | organs that carry out similar functions |
cell differentiation | process by which a cell becomes specialized for a specific structure or functions during multicellular development |
stem cell | unique type of body cell that can 1) divide to renew itself for long periods of time 2) remain undifferentiated in form 3) differentiate into a variety of specialized cell types |