The Cell Division: Understanding Mitosis and Meiosis

Question 1

What are the two main processes of cell division?

Answer 1

Mitosis and meiosis

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of cell division?

Answer 2

Essential for growth, development, and tissue repair in organisms

Question 3

Define somatic cells.

Answer 3

Body cells that continuously divide, producing new cells daily (e.g., blood, skin)

Question 4

What is apoptosis?

Answer 4

Programmed cell death

Question 5

List the functions of apoptosis.

Answer 5

• Reduces cell numbers
• Removes unnecessary tissue during development
• Prevents cancer

Question 6

What is the cell cycle?

Answer 6

Series of stages from one cell division to the next

Question 7

What are the phases of the cell cycle?

Answer 7

• Interphase
• Mitotic Stage

Question 8

What occurs during interphase?

Answer 8

• G1: Cell grows
• S: DNA replication
• G2: Prepares for mitosis

Question 9

What happens during mitosis?

Answer 9

Division of the nucleus

Question 10

What is cytokinesis?

Answer 10

Division of the cytoplasm

Question 11

What is the G1 checkpoint responsible for?

Answer 11

Checks for DNA damage; apoptosis if damaged

Question 12

What does the G2 checkpoint confirm?

Answer 12

Confirms DNA replication; apoptosis if errors exist

Question 13

What is the purpose of the M checkpoint?

Answer 13

Ensures proper chromosome alignment before division

Question 14

How is the cell cycle regulated?

Answer 14

Governed by internal and external signals

Question 15

What role do growth factors play in the cell cycle?

Answer 15

Stimulate cell division

Question 16

What are proto-oncogenes?

Answer 16

Genes that promote cell cycle progression; mutations can lead to cancer (oncogenes)

Question 17

What are tumor suppressor genes?

Answer 17

Inhibit the cell cycle and promote apoptosis; mutations lead to unregulated growth

Question 18

What is chromatin?

Answer 18

DNA and proteins that form chromosomes

Question 19

Define diploid cells.

Answer 19

Cells with two sets of chromosomes (e.g., human somatic cells)

Question 20

Define haploid cells.

Answer 20

Cells with one set of chromosomes (e.g., gametes)

Question 21

What is the purpose of meiosis?

Answer 21

Reduces chromosome number for sexual reproduction

Question 22

How many divisions occur during meiosis?

Answer 22

Two divisions, leading to four genetically diverse haploid cells

Question 23

What is genetic variation in meiosis achieved through?

Answer 23

• Crossing-over
• Independent assortment

Question 24

What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?

Answer 24

• Mitosis: One division, two identical diploid cells
• Meiosis: Two divisions, four non-identical haploid cells

Question 25

What occurs during fertilization?

Answer 25

Haploid sperm and egg combine to form a diploid zygote

Question 26

What is spermatogenesis?

Answer 26

Meiosis in males, producing sperm

Question 27

What is oogenesis?

Answer 27

Meiosis in females, producing eggs

Question 28

What is a centromere?

Answer 28

The region of a chromosome where sister chromatids are held together

Question 29

What are spindle fibers?

Answer 29

Microtubules that separate sister chromatids during mitosis and meiosis

Question 30

What is a cleavage furrow?

Answer 30

The indentation that forms in the cell membrane during cytokinesis in animal cells

Question 31

What is a cell plate?

Answer 31

The structure that forms during cytokinesis in plant cells