The Significance of Chromosome Number In Somatic and Sex Cells Flashcards
What is the Life Cycle of the cell?
The cell cycle - it’s defined by the sequence of events from one cell division to the next
How often do Somatic Cells live?
It varies based on their environment
Blood/skin cells are replaced frequently
Nerve cells divide infrequently or not at all
What are original and new cells called?
Parent and Daughter cells, respectively
Why do cells only grown to a certain size?
If they grow too big diffusion won’t be fast enough
What is a Eukaryote?
Organisms with a membrane bound nucleus
Where is the genetic info of a cell stored?
In its DNA
Where is DNA found?
In the chromosomes of the cell
What is a Chromosome?
A length of DNA and it’s associated proteins
What is a Diploid cell?
A cell that contains pairs of homologous chromosomes, for humans the diploid number is 46, or 23 pairs
What is a Haploid cell?
A cell that has unpaired chromosomes
Human gametes are haploid
What does ‘n’ stand for?
The number of chromosomes in a haploid cell
Eg.
n = 23
2n = 46
What is Polypoid?
When an organism has more than 2 homologous chromosomes
What is a Karyotype?
The set of chromosomes that an individual has
Scientists use chemicals to stop the cell cycle when it reaches a certain point to see the persons chromosomes
