Term | Definition |
cell cycle | pattern of growth, DNA replication, and cell division that occurs in eukaryotic cells |
mitosis | process by which a cell divides its nucleus and contents |
cytokinesis | process by which the cell cytoplasm divides |
chromosome | long, continuous thread of DNA that consists of numerous gens and regulatory information |
histone | protein that organizes chromosomes and around which DNA wraps |
chromatin | loose combination of DNA and proteins that is present during interphase |
chromatid | one half of a duplicate chromosome |
centromere | region of condensed chromosomes that look pinched; where spindle fibers attach during meiosis and mitosis |
telomere | repeating nucleotides at the ends of DNA molecules that do not form genes and help prevent the loss genes |
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 stimulates cell division |
apoptosis | programmed cell death |
cancer | common name for a class of diseases characterized by uncontrollable cell division |
benign | having no dangerous effect on health, especially referring to an abnormal growth of cells that are not cancerous |
malignant | 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 | substance that produces or promotes that development of cancer |
asexual reproduction | process by which offspring of produced from a single parent, doesn't involve the joining of gametes |
binary fission | asexual reproduction in which a cell divides into two equal parts |
tissue | group of cells that work together to preform a similar function |
organ | group of different types of tissues that work together to preform a specific function or related functions |
organ system | two or more organs that work in a coordinated way to carry out similar functions |
cell differentiation | process by which unspecialized cells develop into their mature form and function |
stem cell | cells that can divide for long periods of time while remaining undifferentiated |