1.6 Cell Division Flashcards
Binary fission
A type of asexual reproduction common among prokaryotes where one cell divides giving rise to two identical cells, each having the potential to grow to the size of the original cell.
Cancer
General term for more than 100 diseases that are characterized by uncontrolled mitosis, or abnormal growth of cells.
Cell plate
A membrane that forms midway between dividing plant cells during cytokinesis and later becomes the cell wall.
Centriole
A self-replicating cylindrical organelle that is involved in the process of nuclear division in animal cells.
Centromere
The region joining the two sister chromatids, where it becomes attached to the spindle fibres.
Chromosome
Linear strand of DNA bonded to histones in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells that carries the genetic information.
Cyclins
A family of closely related proteins that regulate the cell cycle in eukaryotic cells.
Equatorial plate
The figure formed by the chromosomes in the centre of the spindle during mitosis.
Cytokinesis
The division of the cytoplasm and the plasma membrane, following the division of the nucleus, resulting in two cells following mitosis.
Metaphase
The second stage in mitosis in which chromosomes become arranged at the equatorial plate.
Metastasis
Characteristic of malignant tumours of transferring the disease from one organ to another not originally connected with it.
Microtubule fibres
Hollow protein tubes seen during the mitosis of animal cells.
Mitosis
The process in which the nucleus of a single cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells, each containing the same number of chromosomes and genetic content as that of the original cell.
Mitotic index
The ratio between the number of cells undergoing mitosis to the total number of cells present.
Mutagens
Agents that increase the rate of genetic mutation.
Oncogene
A gene that may cause normal cells to change into cancerous tumour cells.
Prophase
First stage of mitosis during which the chromosomes become visible as paired chromatids and the nuclear envelope disappears.