mod 5: Cell Division Flashcards
cell cycle
period between cell divisions. different cells have varying cycle lengths. divided into phases
somatic cells
body cells (any of the cells forming multicellular organisms, except gametes). cycle length varies based on type of cell and environment
parent cell
original cell that divides into daughter cells
daughter cell
product of cell division
mitosis (definition)
asexual reproduction. produces two daughter cells genetically identical to the single parent cell
meiosis
sexual reproduction. produces daughter cells (gametes) genetically different from parent cell
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid. molecule of nucleic acid that contains genetic information of a cell and governs process of heredity in cells of an organism
chromosome
length of DNA and its associates proteins (such as histones)
histone
protein that provides forms for DNA to twine around so that it can fit all its length into the confined space of the nucleus. creates a beadlike structure with DNA, where histones are the beads
chromatin
strands of the tight, beadlike structure produced by DNA in combination with histones. contains small amount of RNA
RNA
ribonucleic acid. contains instructions for making proteins
centromere
the part of a chromosome that is constricted (pinched in). a “button” that keeps sister chromatids together after the S phase and and through mitosis until anaphase, where the sister chromatids come apart. also called kinetochore
chromatid
one half of a chromosome. a chromosome divides into two separate chromatids during cell division
binary fission
cell division in prokaryotes. simple because there is only one circular chromosome so no spindle is needed. extremely similar to mitosis
advantages of mitosis
- low energy cost
- fast
- allows rapid spread and population growth
disadvantages of mitosis
daughter cells genetically identical to parent cells–very little genetic variation that only occurs due to mutations
super bugs
bacteria that mutate rapidly and develop resistance to drugs. major health concern
advantages of meiosis
genetic variation
disadvantages of meiosis
- high energy cost
- lengthy process
- requires more than one parent to produce an organism (each parent must provide a gamete)
homologous chromosomes
chromosomes that appear very similar (are officially a pair, correspond with each other) but carry different alleles
allele
different forms of the same gene
autosome
pairs of homologous chromosomes. humans carry 22 autosomes and a sex chromosome pair
sex chromosomes
grouped together but aren’t homologous if XY (XX are homologous). each somatic cell contains both sex chromosomes
X chromosome
larger, contains more genes than Y
Y chromosome
smaller, contains very little genetic information
diploid
symbol: 2n
cells that contain autosomes
haploid
symbol: n
cells that contain unpaired chromosomes (only half of every autosome–they have one of every chromosome but they do not have the corresponding homologous chromosomes)
polyploid
when there are more than two of each chromosome in a set. some organisms are naturally polyploid
karyotype (definition, organization, use)
pictorial representation of the particular set of chromosomes an individual contains. chromosomes organized according to size (longest to shortest) with the sex chromosomes last. used to diagnose chromosome abnormalities and sex chromosomes
how is a karyotype prepared?
- cell sample is collected
- cell sample frozen during the part of the sample where the chromosomes are most clearly visible under a light microscope (during cellular division)
- cells are stained to help see differences in chromosomes
- a photo of the sample is taken and a computer organizes chromosomes into homologous pairs
what characteristics help determine if two chromosomes are homologous?
- overall length
- staining properties (banding pattern/colour)
- centromere position
nondisjunction
error in meiosis (anaphase I or II) that results in non-separation of chromosomes. two chromosomes enter a single daughter cell, causing the other daughter cell to have one chromosome less than it should
what are some syndromes caused by nondisjunction?
- Down syndrome: extra chromosome 21
- Turner syndrome: one X chromosome is missing
- Klinefelter syndrome: extra X chromosome (also called triple X syndrome or trisomy X)
what are the phases of the cell cycle?
interphase, consisting of: growth 1 (G1), synthesis (S), growth 2 (G2).
and mitosis or meiosis (M), which heavily overlaps with the last stage: cytokinesis (C)
interphase
longest period of the cell when the cell is actively growing and metabolizing. consists of G1, S, and G2 phases. DNA is in loose, stringy chromatin form and not visible under the microscope
cell division
the period of the cell cycle where the cell is actively dividing. composed of mitosis and cytokinesis stages.
M phase
the period of the cell cycle where the cell is actively dividing. composed of mitosis and cytokinesis stages.
locus
specific location on a chromosome
how can you tell if a cell is going through cell division by looking at it through a light microscope?
when cells go through division, DNA condenses from chromatin into tightly packed chromosomes. this condensation is visible and looks like a tight tangle in the centre of the cell. then it splits apart into two spaghetti-clump-looking masses on either side and develop into two cells
replication
occurs in S phase. copying of cell’s DNA prior to mitosis so that each daughter cell has an exact copy of the mother cell’s genetic material. results in sister chromatids.