mod 5: Cell Division Flashcards
(102 cards)
cell cycle
period between cell divisions. different cells have varying cycle lengths. divided into phases
somatic cells
body cells (any of the cells forming multicellular organisms, except gametes). cycle length varies based on type of cell and environment
parent cell
original cell that divides into daughter cells
daughter cell
product of cell division
mitosis (definition)
asexual reproduction. produces two daughter cells genetically identical to the single parent cell
meiosis
sexual reproduction. produces daughter cells (gametes) genetically different from parent cell
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid. molecule of nucleic acid that contains genetic information of a cell and governs process of heredity in cells of an organism
chromosome
length of DNA and its associates proteins (such as histones)
histone
protein that provides forms for DNA to twine around so that it can fit all its length into the confined space of the nucleus. creates a beadlike structure with DNA, where histones are the beads
chromatin
strands of the tight, beadlike structure produced by DNA in combination with histones. contains small amount of RNA
RNA
ribonucleic acid. contains instructions for making proteins
centromere
the part of a chromosome that is constricted (pinched in). a “button” that keeps sister chromatids together after the S phase and and through mitosis until anaphase, where the sister chromatids come apart. also called kinetochore
chromatid
one half of a chromosome. a chromosome divides into two separate chromatids during cell division
binary fission
cell division in prokaryotes. simple because there is only one circular chromosome so no spindle is needed. extremely similar to mitosis
advantages of mitosis
- low energy cost
- fast
- allows rapid spread and population growth
disadvantages of mitosis
daughter cells genetically identical to parent cells–very little genetic variation that only occurs due to mutations
super bugs
bacteria that mutate rapidly and develop resistance to drugs. major health concern
advantages of meiosis
genetic variation
disadvantages of meiosis
- high energy cost
- lengthy process
- requires more than one parent to produce an organism (each parent must provide a gamete)
homologous chromosomes
chromosomes that appear very similar (are officially a pair, correspond with each other) but carry different alleles
allele
different forms of the same gene
autosome
pairs of homologous chromosomes. humans carry 22 autosomes and a sex chromosome pair
sex chromosomes
grouped together but aren’t homologous if XY (XX are homologous). each somatic cell contains both sex chromosomes
X chromosome
larger, contains more genes than Y