Cell Division Flashcards
What is the purpose of cell division in multicellular organisms?
To allow growth, repair of damaged tissues, and replacement of dead or damaged cells.
What is mitosis?
A type of cell division used to produce new cells for growth and repair.
What does a parent cell divide to form during mitosis?
Two daughter cells.
How many chromosomes do the daughter cells have compared to the parent cell?
The same number of chromosomes.
What does mitosis maintain in the cells?
The diploid chromosome complement.
What must happen to chromosomes before a cell can divide?
They must replicate to form two identical chromatids.
What holds the two chromatids together?
The centromere.
What structure becomes visible as pairs of chromatids at the beginning of mitosis?
Chromosomes.
What happens to the nuclear membrane during mitosis?
It breaks down.
Where do chromosomes line up during mitosis?
At the equator of the cell.
What attaches to the chromatids during mitosis?
Spindle fibres.
What occurs when spindle fibres shorten?
Chromatids are pulled apart.
Where do chromosomes move during mitosis?
To opposite ends (poles) of the cell.
What forms around the chromosomes after they have moved to opposite poles?
Nuclear membranes.
What divides to form two identical diploid cells?
Cytoplasm.
