Basic Cell Biology Flashcards
Eukaryotes
Organisms that have a well-defined nucleus to house and protect the DNA
Prokaryotes
Organisms whose cells lack a nucleus and therefore have DNA floating loosely in the liquid center of the cell.
Mitosis
Cell division
Meiosis
The production of cell sex
Mitochondria
The powerhouse of the eukaryotic cell, pumps out energy by converting glucose to ATP
Chloroplasts
These organelles are unique to plants. They process the energy of sunlight into sugars that the plant mitochondria use to generate the energy that nourishes the living cell
Somatic cells
Produced by cell division ad differentiate into special cell types
Sex cells
Only in eukaryotic organisms used for reproduction
Sex chromosomes
Determine gender (humans x & y)
Autosomal chromosomes
Non-sex chromosomes
Phases of mitosis
Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
Interphase
Cell grows, copies its DNA and prepares to divide. Three phases
G1, S Phase, and G2
Prophase
Phase 1 of mitosis. Chromosomes compact and cell nucleus starts breaking up.
Metaphase
Phase 2 of mitosis. Chromosomes line up at center of cell
Spindle fibers
Separate chromosomes by grabbing onto centromeres