Topic 1.6

Question 1

Mitosis

Answer 1

A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth.

Question 2

Replicate

Answer 2

Reproduce or give rise to a copy of itself

Question 3

Chromosomes

Answer 3

A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

Question 4

Supercoiling of chromosomes

Answer 4

DNA supercoiling refers to the over- or under-winding of a DNA strand, and is an expression of the strain on that strand. Supercoiling is important in a number of biological processes, such as compacting DNA. Additionally, certain enzymes such as topoisomerases are able to change DNA topology to facilitate functions such as DNA replication or transcription.

Question 5

Histone proteins

Answer 5

Histones are a family of basic proteins that associate with DNA in the nucleus and help condense it into chromatin. Nuclear DNA does not appear in free linear strands; it is highly condensed and wrapped around histones in order to fit inside of the nucleus and take part in the formation of chromosomes.

Question 6

Microtubules

Answer 6

Microtubules are polymers of tubulin that form part of the cytoskeleton and provide structure and shape to eukaryotic cells.