Cell Division Vocabulary Mr Rhea Flashcards
chromosome
a rod of condensed chromatin
locus
Latin word meaning “place”
gene
a locus on a chromosome that controls the inheritance of a specific trait
body cell
a cell with the correct number of chromosomes for the species
cell division
a single cell divides, forming two cells
sexual reproduction
the production of a new, unique cell from parts of two previously existing cells
gamete
a sex cell
egg
female gamete that has half the number of chromosomes as a normal body cell
sperm
male gamete that has half the number of chromosomes as a normal body cell
fertilization
the joining of egg and sperm or egg and pollen
zygote
a fertilized egg – the product of sexual reproduction the original cell of a new life
meiosis
cell division that takes place in the sex organs that produces gametes or cells with half the number of chromosomes as a body cell
cell cycle
the regular sequence of growth, work, and division in cells
asexual reproduction
the production of two new, identical
cells from a single, previously existing cell
replication
to make a copy of itself
mitosis
the division of a nucleus into two identical nuclei
parent cell
a body cell before it begins cell division
daughter cells
the two new, identical cells that result from
cell division
centriole
two organelles found in animal cells that direct the spindle fibers which pull apart the chromosomes
spindle fibers
threads that attach to the double stranded
chromosomes and then pull them apart
centromere
holds the double stranded chromosome together
