Cell Cycle Basics
This stage of the cell cycle is where the cell performs its usual functions and may enter G₀ if it chooses not to divide.
What is G₁?
In this phase, chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope breaks down.
What is prophase?
DNA winds around these proteins to form nucleosomes.
What are histones?
This term describes a molecule that stimulates or inhibits a cellular event.
What is a signal?
Cancer is described as a disease in which this process occurs repeatedly without end.
What is cellular reproduction?
During this phase of interphase, DNA replication occurs, producing sister chromatids.
What is the S phase?
Chromosomes line up along the equatorial plate during this phase.
What is metaphase?
Humans have this number of chromosomes.
What is 46?
These internal regulatory proteins must be destroyed at the correct time for the cell cycle to progress normally.
What are cyclins?
Mutated proto-oncogenes become these cancer-causing genes.
What are oncogenes?
This checkpoint ensures DNA has replicated correctly before mitosis begins.
What is the G₂ checkpoint?
Sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles in this phase.
What is anaphase?
This term describes the thin, threadlike appearance of DNA and proteins before condensation.
What is chromatin?
Cells stop dividing when they touch due to this phenomenon.
What is contact inhibition?
These genes normally inhibit the cell cycle and promote apoptosis.
What are tumor suppressor genes?
This stage of the cell cycle includes mitosis and cytokinesis.
What is the M phase?
This structure made of microtubules helps pull chromatids apart.
What is the spindle?
Duplicated chromosomes consist of two identical DNA strands known as these.
What are sister chromatids?
This external signal stimulates skin cells near an injury to divide.
What is epidermal growth factor (EGF)?
Cancer cells can spread to new locations through this process.
What is metastasis?
This term describes the orderly sequence of stages between the formation of a new cell and its division into two daughter cells.
What is the cell cycle?
Plant cells form this structure during cytokinesis instead of a cleavage furrow.
What is the cell plate?
This region holds sister chromatids together until anaphase.
What is the centromere?
These repeating DNA sequences at chromosome ends shorten with each division.
What are telomeres?
This chromosomal event, such as the formation of the Philadelphia chromosome, can contribute to cancer development.
What is a translocation?