Mitosis Vocabulary

Question 1

Gamete

Answer 1

A cell that is either egg or sperm.

Question 2

Zygote

Answer 2

A fertilized cell (egg+sperm).

Question 3

Mitosis

Answer 3

Division of cells to produce somatic cells.

Question 4

Somatic cell

Answer 4

Body cells with a specialized function, but all containing the same DNA.

Question 5

Interphase

Answer 5

The time spent in between cell divisions during which DNA is duplicated. 2/3 of the cell’s lifetime is spent here.

Question 6

Chromatin

Answer 6

A single, very long strand of spread-out DNA that condenses into chromosomes during mitosis. Loosely coiled DNA.

Question 7

Chromosome

Answer 7

Two sister chromatids joined by a centromere. Organized, tightly-coiled DNA. (DNA is only tightly coiled during mitosis.)

Question 8

Chromatid

Answer 8

One copy of the condensed chromatin. Half of a chromosome.

Question 9

Centromere

Answer 9

The spot where the two chromatids are joined. Also where the spindle fiber attaches. Right in the middle of the chromosome.

Question 10

Prophase

Answer 10

The first stage of mitosis. Nucleus begins to dissolve. Centrioles in animal cells migrate to opposite poles. Chromatids shorten and thicken. Spindle fibers start to appear.

Question 11

Spindle fiber

Answer 11

A microtubule produced by the centriole that attaches to the centromeres to pull apart the chromosomes.

Question 12

Metaphase

Answer 12

The second stage. Chromatids move toward the center and line up. The nucleus is completely gone. Centromeres of each chromatid attach to spindle fibers. Some spindle fibers attach from centriole to centriole.

Question 13

Telophase

Answer 13

The fourth and final stage of cell division. Spindles begin to break down, chromatin is formed from DNA loosening, nucleus begins to reform, centrioles replicate. In plant cells, cell plate forms.

Question 14

Cytokinesis

Answer 14

Occurs during the end of telophase. Translates to “cell cutting.” The end of cell division including the division of the cytoplasm and the rest of the cell into two complete daughter cells.

Question 15

Homologous chromosome

Answer 15

How chromosomes exist as homologous pairs. A set of one maternal and one paternal chromosome that pair up with each other inside a cell during fertilization. The genes are the same, but the specifics may be different, with one chromosome from mom and one from dad.

Question 16

Diploid number

Answer 16

2n. The total number of chromosomes. Humans have 46.

Question 17

Haploid number

Answer 17

n. The total number of homologous pairs. Humans have 23.

Question 18

Anaphase

Answer 18

The third step. Spindle fibers contract, pulling apart sister chromatids. In late anaphase, the cell membrane of animal cells begins to pinch together; for plant cells, the cell plate starts to appear.

Question 19

Autosomes

Answer 19

Every chromosome except for the sex chromosome. Includes 1-22.

Question 20

Sex chromosomes

Answer 20

Chromosome 23. Determines gender. XX=female, XY=male.

Question 21

Meiosis

Answer 21

Sexual reproduction in the gonads to turn somatic cells into gametes.

Question 22

Polar body

Answer 22

2 to 3 of the four cells produced through oogenesis; they are smaller than the ovum because of unequal distribution.

Question 23

Crossing over

Answer 23

A part of prophase 1 during which DNA from sister chromatids breaks and switches places.

Question 24

Cancer

Answer 24

A disease caused by mutated or irregular cells that divide rapidly and without ceasing. They can create tumors.