Cell cycle stages
This phase is when the cell grows and carries out normal metabolic functions before DNA replication.
What is G1 phase
In this phase of mitosis, chromosomes condense and become visible while the nuclear envelope begins to break down.
What is prophase
This enzyme seals the sugar‑phosphate backbone, joining fragments into a continuous strand.
What is DNA ligase
This process allows unspecialized cells to become specialized with unique structures and functions.
What is cell differentiation
When functioning normally, these genes act as the “brakes” of the cell cycle, stopping damaged cells from dividing.
What are tumor suppressor genes
During this stage the cell synthesizes an identical copy of its DNA.
What is S phase
In this phase, two new nuclear envelopes form around separated chromosomes, which begin to decondense.
What is telophase
This enzyme lays down short RNA primers that DNA polymerase needs to start building new strands.
What is primase
This term describes how cells take on specialized roles, such as neurons transmitting signals or muscle cells contracting.
What is cell specialization
This protein checks DNA for mistakes; if it fails, damaged cells may keep dividing.
What is p53
This phase includes prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
What is mitosis
During this phase, chromosomes line up along the cell’s equator, attached to spindle fibers.
What is metaphase
This strand is synthesized continuously toward the replication fork.
What is the leading strand
This process ensures that only certain genes are active in a given cell type, leading to different functions despite identical DNA.
What is gene expression regulation
This term describes when cancer cells break away and spread to other parts of the body.
What is metastasis
This stage involves checking DNA for errors and preparing for mitosis
What is G2 phase
This phase is marked by sister chromatids separating and moving toward opposite poles of the cell.
What is anaphase
These short DNA segments are formed on the lagging strand during discontinuous synthesis.
What are Okazaki fragments
This type of cell can become any cell type in the body, making it the most versatile.
What is a pluripotent stem cell
These genes can cause cancer when they get “turned on” too much, making cells divide too quickly.
What are oncogenes
This process divides the cytoplasm to form two daughter cells.
What is cytokinesis
this process immediately follows telophase and divides the cytoplasm.
What is cytokinesis
This enzyme “unzips” the DNA double helix so replication can begin.
What is helicase
These master regulatory genes control the development of body structures by turning other genes on and off.
What are Hox genes
This is what we call cells that divide too fast and don’t respond to normal “stop” signals.
What is cancer