Mutations and Mitosis Flashcards
(29 cards)
What are four examples of cell division in eukaryotes?
- Mitosis
- Meiosis
- Binary fission
- Asexual reproduction
Binary fission is primarily a process observed in prokaryotes, but is included here as a comparison.
What is an example of cell division in prokaryotes?
Binary fission
Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction in prokaryotic organisms.
Differentiate between a gene, a DNA molecule, a chromosome, and a chromatid.
Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a protein
DNA molecule: The double helix structure containing genetic information
Chromosome: A structure made of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information
Chromatid: One of the two identical halves of a duplicated chromosome
Understanding these terms is crucial for studying genetics and cell biology.
What are homologous chromosomes?
Chromosomes that are similar in shape, size, and genetic content
Homologous chromosomes pair during meiosis.
Define autosomes.
Chromosomes that are not involved in determining the sex of an organism
Humans have 22 pairs of autosomes.
What are sex chromosomes?
Chromosomes that determine the sex of an organism
In humans, these are the X and Y chromosomes.
Compare haploid and diploid cells.
Haploid: Cells containing one set of chromosomes (n)
Diploid: Cells containing two sets of chromosomes (2n)
Gametes are haploid, while somatic cells are diploid.
What is a zygote?
A fertilized egg cell that is diploid
A zygote forms when two gametes fuse during fertilization.
What is a karyotype?
A visual representation of an individual’s chromosomes
Karyotypes can be used to identify chromosomal abnormalities.
True or False: All cell division processes in eukaryotes are the same.
False
Different types of cell division occur depending on the organism and the purpose of division.
Fill in the blank: Each cell ends up with a complete set of _______ after division.
DNA
This ensures that all genetic information is preserved in the daughter cells.
What is the shape of a prokaryote’s DNA molecule?
A prokaryote’s single DNA molecule is circular.
How do prokaryotes reproduce?
Prokaryotes reproduce by a type of cell division called binary fission.
What type of reproduction is binary fission?
Binary fission is a form of asexual reproduction that produces identical offspring.
What happens during binary fission?
First, the DNA is copied, and then the cell divides.
How does a prokaryote divide during binary fission?
The prokaryote divides by adding a new cell membrane to a point on the membrane between the two DNA copies.
What forms around the new membrane during prokaryotic cell division?
A new cell wall forms around the new membrane.
What is the result of binary fission in prokaryotes?
The dividing prokaryote is pinched into two independent cells, each containing one circle of DNA.
What are genes?
Genes are segments of DNA that code for a protein or RNA molecule.
What happens to DNA as a eukaryotic cell prepares to divide?
The chromosomes, which consist of DNA and associated proteins, become visible.
What are chromatids?
The two exact copies of DNA that make up each chromosome are called chromatids.
What is a centromere?
The point where the two chromatids of a chromosome are attached.
What ensures each new cell has the same genetic information during eukaryotic cell division?
The chromatids become separated during cell division and are placed into each new cell.
How many new cells can Escherichia coli produce in less than 7 hours?
Escherichia coli cells can produce 2 million new cells in less than 7 hours.
