Term | Definition |
Interphase | Majority of time cell is in this. Cell grows and carries on its usual activities. Includes DNA replication. |
Cell Division (mitotic Phase) | Cell divides into 2 (cell makes an exact copy in body) |
Subphases | G1, S and G2.
G1 growth, S DNA replication, G2 rep for division. |
DNA Replication | Prior to division the cell makes a copy of DNA. Double stranded DNA helices unwind and unzip. |
DNA Polymerase | Attaches to primer and begins adding nucleotides to form new strands. |
Semiconservative Replication | Each new double stranded DNA is composed of one old strand and one new strand. |
M (Mitotic) Phase | Cell cycle is phase in which division occurs, Consist of 2 distinct events Mitosis and Cytokinesis. |
M Phase | is the division of nucleus, in which the duplicated DNA is distributed to new daughter cells. |
Early Prophase | Chromatin condenses, forming visible chromosomes. |
Centrosome | its duplicated begin synthesizing microtubules that push each centrosome to opposite poles of cell. |
Late Prophase | Nuclear envelope breaks up. |
Metaphase | Centromeres of chromosomes are precisely aligned at cells equator. |
Metaphase Plate | The imaginary plane midway between poles |
Anaphase | Shortest of all phases. Chromosomes are pulled toward their respective poles by motor proteins of kinetochores. |
Telophase | Begins when chromosome movement stops. Each set uncoils to form chromatin. Nucleoli reappear and Spindle disappears. |
Cytokinesis | Begins late anaphase and continues through mitosis. 2 daughter cells pinch apart. |
Protein Synthesis | DNA is master blueprint that holds the code for protein synthesis. |
Gene | A segment of DNA that holds the code for onw polypeptide. |
RNA | is the go between molecule that links DNA to proteins. formed in nucleus. Uracil is in place of Thymine. |
Messenger RNA | Process is referred to as transcription. |
Ribosomal RNA | Structural component of ribosomes, the organelle where protein synthesis occurs. |
Transfer RNA | Crrier of amino acids. Have a triplet code called anticodon. |
Transcription | DNA information coded in mRNA |
Initiation | RNA polymerase seperates DNA strands |
Elongation | RNA polymerase adds complementary nucleotides to growing mRNA matching sequence of based on DNA template strand. |
Termination | Transcription stops when RNA polymerase reaches special termination signal code. |
Translation | Each 3 based sequence on DNA is represented by a complamentary 3 based sequence on mRNA called codon. |
Processing of mRNA | Introns are removed by special proteins called spliceosomes, leaving only exon coding regions. |
Role of tRNA | binds a specific amino acid at one end, once amino acid is located onto tRNA, Molecule is now called an aminoacyl tRNA. |
Anticodon | at other end is triplet code that determines which amino acid will be bound at stem. |
DNA to Proteins | Complementary base paring directs transfer of genetic information in DNA into amino acid sequence of protein. |
Autophagy | (self eating) is the process of disposing of nonfunctional organelles. |
Apoptosis | also known as programmed cell death causes certain cells. to neatly self destruct. |
Hyperplasia | increases number of cell numbers |
Atrophy | is decrease in size that results from loss of stimulation or use |
Hypertrophy | is a increases in size. |
Telomeres | Are strings of nucleotides that protect ends of chromosomes. Like caps on shoestrings. |