Chapter 16 Flashcards
Cell cycle
A continuous sequence of cell growth + division; the life cycle of a cell
Somatic cell
Any of the cells of a multi cellular organism except those that form gametes
Parent cell
Original cell that divides to produce two new daughter cells during cell division
Daughter cell
Any one of two cells produced from the division of a parent cell
Chromatid
Single stranded chromosome. Coiled strand of DNA formed during cell replication. Made from a piece of chromatin.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid. A molecule of nucleic acid that governs processes of heredity in the cells of organisms. Found in chromosomes. Contains genetic material
Chromosome
A length of DNA and it’s associated proteins
Histones
Protein found in chromosomes: acts as scaffold around which DNA winds, enabling it to fit within the small space of the nucleus.
Chromatin
Long fibres that form chromosomes + contain DNA, a small amount of RNA, + various proteins, non- condensed form of genetic material that predominates for most of the cell cycle
Centromere
The point at which two sister chromatids of a chromosome are joined + to which the spindle fibres are attached during mitosis
Homologous Chromosome
Chromosomes that contain the same sequence as another, but that may not be made up of the same alleles: human somatic cells have 22 pairs of those known as autosomes, and females also have a homologous pair of x sec chromosomes; males have a y+ a x sex chromosome which are not homologous. Homologous chromosomes have similar bonding, centromere location and length
Autosomes
Chromosomes other than a sex chromosome human somatic cells have 22 pairs of these. Each single chromosome matches it’s pair. They are homologous pairs.
Sex chromosomes
xx or xy chromosome that carries the genes involved in determining the genetic sex if an individual. May or may not be homologous pair.
Genes
The basic unit of heredity; a specific sequence of DNA that encodes a protein, tRNA, rRNA molecule or regulates the transcription of such sequence; governs the expression of a particular trait + can be passed to offspring
Locus
Specific location on a chromosome
Alleles
Different form of the same gene occurring on homologous chromosomes
Diploid
Describing a cell that contains two pairs of every chromosome. Designated as 2n eg somatic cells
Haploid
Describing a cell containing half the number of chromosomes (n) that the diploid (2n) parent cell contains; condition occurring in gametes, either egg (ovum) or sperm
Gametes
Male or female haploid reproductive cell eg: egg (ovum) + sperm
Polyploid
Describing a cell which contains sets of more than 2 homologous chromosomes
Karyotype
The particular set of chromosomes that an individual posses