Cell Cycle
What is the definition of the cell cycle?
The process of a cell growing and dividing into 2 identical daughter cells
What is mitosis?
The part of the cell cycle where the cell splits into 2 new cells - identical to the parent and to each other.
Name the phases of mitosis in order.
Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.
What is cancer?
A disease characterized by uncontrolled cell division.
What are chromosomes?
Tightly condensed chromatin around histone proteins into organized structures.
Why is the cell cycle important for growth?
It allows cells to increase in size and number of cells which leads to growth.
What is the purpose of mitosis?
To properly split cells for growth, repair of damaged tissues, and asexual reproduction in some organisms
What happens during prophase?
Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, and the nuclear envelope breaks down.
What role do checkpoints play in the cell cycle?
They monitor the cell's progression through the cycle and check for DNA damage or errors.
When is DNA in the form of chromatin and when is DNA in the form of chromosomes/sister chromatids
Chromatin: Interphase
Chromosomes & sister chromatids: Mitosis
What is the function of the cell cycle?
To ensure proper cell growth, DNA replication, and division for tissue repair and reproduction.
How many daughter cells are produced from mitosis?
Two daughter cells.
Describe what occurs during metaphase.
Chromosomes line up at the cell's equator(middle), and spindle fibers attach to the centromeres.
Where are the 3 checkpoints throughout the cell cycle?
Checkpoint 1: End of G1
Checkpoint 2: End of G2
Checkpoint 3: During Metaphase of mitosis
What is the role of telomeres?
They protect the ends of chromosomes from deterioration or damage during duplication.
What are the main phases of the cell cycle?
Interphase (G1, S, G2) and Mitosis (Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase) followed by Cytokinesis.
Compare the daughter cells to the parent cell.
Daughter cells are identical to parent cells.
What is the role of centromeres during anaphase?
Centromeres are where the spindle fibers connect, allowing sister chromatids to separate and move to opposite poles.
How does cancer relate to the cell cycle?
Cancer cells bypass normal regulatory mechanisms, leading to uncontrollable division.
What is the difference between chromatin and chromosomes?
Chromatin is the relaxed form of DNA found in the nucleus during interphase, while chromosomes are condensed structures that form during cell division.
How does the cell cycle ensure proper DNA replication?
Checkpoints monitor DNA integrity and replication progress, ensuring errors are corrected before division.
What is the significance of sister chromatids?
They ensure that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes during cell division.
What happens during telophase and cytokinesis?
The nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes, and the cell divides into two daughter cells.
What is the Hayflick Limit?
The number of times a normal somatic cell can divide before cell division stops, typically around 40-60 times.
What is the function of a chromatid during mitosis?
Each chromatid is one-half of a duplicated chromosome, ensuring that each daughter cell gets an identical set of chromosomes during mitosis.