Mitosis & the cell cycle Flashcards
What is the cell cycle?
The cell cycle is the series of events that take place in a eukaryotic cell leading to its replication.
What are the two periods of the cell cycle?
The two periods are interphase and the mitotic (M) phase.
What occurs during interphase?
During interphase, the cell grows, accumulates nutrients needed for mitosis, and duplicates its DNA.
What happens during the mitotic (M) phase?
During the mitotic (M) phase, the cell splits itself into two distinct cells, often called ‘daughter cells’.
What is mitosis?
Mitosis is the process in which a eukaryotic cell separates the chromosomes in the nucleus into two identical sets in two daughter nuclei.
What is interphase?
Interphase is the phase of the cell cycle in which the cell spends the majority of its time and performs the majority of its functions.
What functions does a cell perform during interphase?
During interphase, the cell obtains nutrients, grows, copies its DNA, and conducts other ‘normal’ cell functions.
What are checkpoints in the cell cycle?
Checkpoints are regulatory mechanisms that prevent entry into the next phase of the cell cycle until the events of the preceding phase have been completed.
What is DNA replication?
DNA replication is the process of copying a double-stranded DNA molecule to form two double-stranded molecules.
What is a chromatid?
A chromatid is one of two identical copies of DNA making up a replicated chromosome, joined at their centromeres.
