C. elegans
What is the full scientific name of C. elegans?
Caenorhabditis elegans
What is the primary purpose of apoptosis in multicellular organisms?
To remove damaged, unwanted, or unnecessary cells.
What is mitosis used for?
Cell division
How many chromosomes does a human body have in each cell?
46 (23 from mom and 23 from dad)
What is the phase where cells prepare for division?
Interphase
What is the approximate lifespan of a wild-type C. elegans under laboratory conditions?
Around 2-3 weeks
What genes are required for the initiation of apoptosis in C. elegans?
ced-3 and ced-4
List the 5 phases of mitosis in order
Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, and Cytokinesis (P M A T C)
What is the term for the process where homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material?
Crossing over or Genetic Recombination
Identify the phase of the cell cycle where DNA replication occurs
S phase
Which Nobel laureate introduced C. elegans as a model organism for studying developmental biology?
Sydney Brenner
Which organelle is often referred to as the "executioner" in apoptosis due to its role in releasing enzymes that degrade cellular components?
Mitochondria
What is the term for the phase of mitosis in which the nuclear envelope re-forms around the separated sister chromatids?
Telophase
What do chromosomes divide into during Meiosis II?
Gametes
What is the longest stage of the cell cycle?
Interphase
How many somatic cells does a typical adult C. elegans have?
959 somatic cells
What is the name of the protein family that regulates apoptosis by controlling mitochondrial membrane permeability?
Bcl-2
What regulatory proteins control the progression of the cell cycle and ensure that mitosis occurs properly?
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).
What is the name of the structure formed during meiosis where homologous chromosomes pair up?
Synapsis
Which cellular structure is responsible for organizing and distributing chromosomes during cell division?
Mitotic Spindle
Which Nobel Prize-winning scientist discovered that certain genes control the development of specific cell lineages in C. elegans, leading to the concept of apoptosis?
Robert Horvitz
What is the name of the caspase that serves as the central executioner in apoptosis by cleaving various cellular proteins?
Caspase-3
Name the protein complex responsible for aligning chromosomes during metaphase
Kinetochore
What protein is primarily responsible for ensuring the alignment of homologous chromosomes during Meiosis?
Synaptonemal Complex
Which protein complex regulates the progression from G1 phase to S phase in the cell cycle?
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)