THE CELL CYCLE
This phase of the cell cycle is where the cell grows, replicates DNA, and prepares for mitosis.
What is interphase?
This is the first stage of mitosis where chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope breaks down.
What is prophase?
These proteins rise and fall during the cell cycle and activate CDKs to move the cycle forward.
What are cyclins?
These are tumors that do not spread to other parts of the body.
What are benign tumors?
This treatment kills rapidly dividing cells but also causes hair loss and nausea.
What is chemotherapy?
This phase doubles the genetic material so each daughter cell will inherit a full set of chromosomes.
What is the S phase?
This stage of mitosis is characterized by chromosomes lining up in the middle of the cell.
What is metaphase?
These enzymes remain present but inactive until cyclins bind to them.
What are CDKs (cyclin‑dependent kinases)?
These cells divide rapidly, invade nearby tissues, and may spread to distant areas of the body.
What are malignant cancer cells?
A cell detects DNA damage at G2 and halts division; this process may occur if the damage is too great.
What is apoptosis?
Cells that permanently stop dividing, like many muscle and nerve cells, have entered this phase.
What is G0?
These structures separate during anaphase, becoming independent chromosomes.
What are sister chromatids?
This specific complex of cyclin B + CDK1 triggers the cell’s entry into mitosis.
What is MPF (Maturation‑Promoting Factor)?
These genes normally act as the “brakes” of the cell cycle and stop damaged cells from dividing.
What are tumor‑suppressor genes?
This cancer treatment removes tumors physically from the body through an operation.
What is surgery?
These three checkpoints (G1, G2, and M) act as the cell’s quality‑control system to prevent division errors.
What are cell cycle checkpoints?
This structure made of microtubules attaches to chromosomes and ensures their equal separation.
What is the mitotic spindle?
These two categories of regulators work together to ensure cells divide only at the correct time and with proper conditions, combining signals from both the environment and inside the cell.
What are internal and external regulators?
Mutation of this gene prevents p53 from stopping damaged cells, a hallmark feature of many cancers.
What is the TP53 gene?
This newer cancer treatment boosts the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
What is immunotherapy?
This event must occur successfully at the M checkpoint before a cell is permitted to separate sister chromatids.
What is proper spindle attachment at the metaphase plate?
This is the process that physically divides the cytoplasm, differing between plant and animal cells (plate vs. cleavage).
What is cytokinesis?
These two external physical signals (contact‑based or location‑based) prevent inappropriate cell division.
What are density‑dependent inhibition and anchorage dependence?
This term describes positive regulators that have become permanently “switched on,” pushing a cell toward uncontrolled division.
What are oncogenes?
This therapy uses high‑energy waves or particles to damage DNA so cancer cells stop dividing.
What is radiation therapy?