Cells and control Flashcards
Anaphase
The third stage of mitosis in which the chromatids are pulled to opposite poles
of the cell by spindle fibres.
Asexual reproduction
A form of reproduction involving a single parent that creates
genetically identical offspring.
Axon
A long fibre that conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body
Cell differentiation
The process by which an undifferentiated cell becomes specialised for
its function
Central nervous system (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord.
Cytokinesis
The division of the cytoplasm at the end of mitosis to produce two new
daughter cells.
Dendrites
Short, branched extensions of dendrons that provide a large surface area to
receive nerve impulses from other neurones.
Dendron
Branched extensions of a nerve cell body that connect to other neurones and
carry impulses towards the body.
Diploid cell
A cell that contains two copies of each chromosome (i.e. a full set of
chromosomes)
Effector
An organ, tissue, or cell that produces a response to a stimulus
Haploid cell
A cell that contains a single copy of each chromosome
Interphase
The longest stage of the cell cycle that involves cell growth, the synthesis of
new organelles and DNA replication.
Meristem tissue
Plant tissues containing undifferentiated stem cells.
Metaphase
The second stage of mitosis in which the chromosomes align at the cell
equator.
Mitosis
A form of cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells (with a
full set of chromosomes) from one parent cell.
Motor neurone
A neurone that carries nerve impulses from the central nervous system to
the effectors.
Myelin sheath
An electrically insulating layer that surrounds the axon and increases the
speed of nerve impulses.
Neurones
- Nerve cells adapted to quickly transmit nerve impulses. They are the functional
units of the nervous system.
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that are used for communication between neurones and
their target cells.
Percentile chart
A chart used to monitor growth or time
Prophase
The first stage of mitosis in which the chromosomes condense and the nuclear
membrane breaks down.
Reflex arc
The pathway of neurones involved in a reflex action
Relay neurone
A neurone that carries nerve impulses from sensory neurones to motor
neurones within the central nervous system.
Sensory neurone
A neurone that carries nerve impulses from the receptors to the central
nervous system.
receptor
A specialised structure that detects a specific type of stimulus
Stem cells
- Cells that are unspecialised and capable of differentiating into a range of
different cell types.
Synapse
A small gap between neurones across which a nerve impulse is transmitted via
neurotransmitters.
Telophase
The final stage of mitosis in which the spindle fibres break down, two new
nuclear envelopes form around the daughter cells and the chromosomes disappear.
