Chapter 8 Definitions

Question 1

Cell Cycle

Answer 1

The sequence of events during which a cell experiences a period of growth followed by nuclear division and cytokinesis.

Question 2

Mitosis

Answer 2

Nuclear division that produces daughter nuclei that are exact genetic copies of the parental nucleus

Question 3

Meiosis

Answer 3

The division of diploid cells to haploid progeny. Consisting of two sequential rounds of nuclear and cellular division

Question 4

Chromosome

Answer 4

The nuclear unit of genetic information, consisting of a DNA molecule and associated proteins.

Question 5

Ploidy

Answer 5

The number of chromosome sets of a cell or species

Question 6

Haploid

Answer 6

An organism or cell with only one copy of each type of chromosome in its nuclei

Question 7

Diploid

Answer 7

An organism or cell with two copies of each type or chromosome in its nuclei

Question 8

Chromatid

Answer 8

One half of a replicated chromosome. Each chromatid is one double helix of DNA.

Question 9

Chromosome segregation

Answer 9

The equal distribution of daughter chromosomes to each of the two cells that result from cell division

Question 10

Spindle

Answer 10

The structure that separates sister chromatids and moves them to opposite spindle poles

Question 11

Centromere

Answer 11

A specialized chromosomal region that connects sister chromatids and attaches them to the mitotic spindle

Question 12

Centrosome

Answer 12

The main microtubule organizing centre of the cell, which organizes the microtubules cytoskeleton during interphase and positions many of the cytoplasmic organelles.

Question 13

Kinechore

Answer 13

A specialized structure consisting of proteins attached to a centromere that mediates the attachment and movement of chromosomes along the mitotic spindle.

Question 14

Cleavage furrow

Answer 14

Mitotic cell divisions of the zygote that produce a blastula from a fertilized ovum.

Question 15

Cell plate

Answer 15

In cytokinesis in plants, a new cell wall that forms between the daughter nuclei and grows laterally until it divides the cytoplasm

Question 16

Binary Fission

Answer 16

Prokaryotic cell division- splitting or dividing into two parts

Question 17

Origin of Replication

Answer 17

A specific region at which replication of a bacterial chromosome commences

Question 18

Interphase

Answer 18

The first stage of the mitotic cell cycle, during which the cell grows and replicates its DNA before undergoing mitosis and cytokinesis.

Question 19

G1 Phase

Answer 19

The initial growth stage of the cell cycle in eukaryotes, during which the cell makes proteins and other types of cellular molecules but not nuclear DNA

Question 20

S Phase

Answer 20

The phase of the cell cycle in which DNA replication occurs

Question 21

G2 Phase

Answer 21

The phase of the cell cycle in eukaryotes during which the cell continues to synthesize proteins and grow completing interphase.

Question 22

G0 Phase

Answer 22

The phase of the cell cycle in eukaryotes in which many cell types stop dividing

Question 23

Prophase

Answer 23

The beginning phase of mitosis during which the duplicated chromosomes within the nucleus condense from a greatly extended state into compact, rod-like structures

Question 24

Prometaphase

Answer 24

A transition period between prophase and metaphase during which the microtubules of the mitotic spindle attach to the kinechores and the chromosomes shuffle until they align in the centre of the cell

Question 25

Metaphase

Answer 25

The phase of mitosis during which the spindle reaches its final form and the spindle microtubules move the chromosomes into alignment at the spindle midpoint

Question 26

Anaphase

Answer 26

The phase of mitosis during which the spindle separates sister chromatids and pulls them to opposite spindle pores

Question 27

Telophase

Answer 27

The final phase of mitosis, during which the spindle disassembles, the chromosomes decondense, and the nuclei re-form

Question 28

Cytokinesis

Answer 28

Division if the cytoplasm into two daughter cells following the nuclear divison stage of mitosis