Cell Cycle Stages
What happens to the chromosomes during prophase?
Chromosomes condense and become visible as paired chromatids.
How many main checkpoints are there in the cell cycle?
Three main checkpoints.
What is the vocabulary term for programmed cell death?
Apoptosis
What is cancer a result of?
An improperly regulated cell cycle leading to uncontrolled cell division.
What is the basic function of the cell cycle?
It governs the growth and division of cells.
Describe what occurs during metaphase.
Chromosomes line up along the equatorial plate of the cell.
What is the primary purpose of a checkpoint in the cell cycle?
To ensure that the cell is ready to progress to the next stage of the cycle.
Why is apoptosis important for cells?
It prevents damaged cells from functioning improperly or becoming cancerous.
Name two reasons why tumors can form.
Unregulated fast cell division and a lack of apoptosis.
Why is cell division crucial for unicellular organisms?
It is necessary for reproduction.
What is the significance of anaphase in the cell cycle?
The spindle pulls sister chromatids apart, moving them toward opposite poles.
How do checkpoints benefit cells?
They allow cells to verify that conditions are favorable and that chromosomes are properly attached before proceeding.
What can happen if a damaged cell does not initiate apoptosis?
It may not operate correctly and could become cancerous.
How do abnormal cells contribute to tumor formation?
They replicate indefinitely due to a lack of regulation, forming abnormal clumps of cells.
How do multicellular organisms benefit from mitosis?
Mitosis allows for growth, repair, and replacement of cells.
What occurs during telophase?
Two nuclear envelopes form around the two nuclei, and the spindle begins to shrink.
What happens if a cell finds an error during a checkpoint?
The cell can correct DNA errors, move to the G0 resting state, or be destroyed.
Describe the role of cell death in normal development.
It is necessary for normal cell development and maturation within the cell cycle.
What role do proteins at checkpoints play in cancer development?
They regulate progression through the cell cycle and prevent unchecked division.
Explain differentiation in the context of cell specialization.
Differentiation is the process by which cells become specialized into different cell types.
Explain what interphase entails.
The cell grows, performs normal metabolic roles, and DNA is replicated in preparation for mitosis.
What role do proofreading enzymes play during cell division?
They help correct DNA errors to prevent mistakes from being replicated.
How does the cell cycle relate to the process of apoptosis?
The cell cycle includes checkpoints that can trigger apoptosis in response to damage or errors.
Describe the impact of DNA damage on cell cycle regulation.
DNA damage can lead to cell malfunction and potential cancer if apoptosis does not occur.
What happens to a cell that enters the G0 resting state?
It will not divide and remains in a non-proliferative state.