Cell Cycle Basics
What is the main reason humans grow from babies to adults?
Because cells make more cells by dividing.
What happens during interphase?
The cell grows, copies DNA, and prepares for division.
What is the result of one complete cell cycle?
Two new daughter cells.
What is the main function of the plasma membrane?
It controls what enters and exits the cell.
How many main types of biomolecules are in cells?
Four
What do we call the series of stages that cells go through as they grow and divide?
The cell cycle.
What are the three stages of interphase?
G1, S, and G2.
How are the daughter cells related to the original cell?
They are genetically identical.
What term describes the membrane’s ability to control movement in and out of the cell?
Selective permeability.
Name the four main biomolecules.
Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids.
What are the two main phases of the cell cycle?
Interphase and the Mitotic Phase.
In which stage does DNA replication occur?
The S phase.
What happens to the original parent cell after division?
It no longer exists; it becomes the two daughter cells.
What is the plasma membrane made of?
A phospholipid bilayer.
What are lipids made of?
Glycerol and fatty acids.
During which phase does the cell spend most of its life?
Interphase.
What two processes happen during the mitotic phase?
Mitosis and cytokinesis.
Why is genetic consistency important in cell division?
It ensures that each new cell functions properly.
How are the phospholipids arranged in the bilayer?
Heads face outward (polar), tails face inward (nonpolar).
What is a phospholipid made of?
Glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group.
Why is the cell cycle important for multicellular organisms?
It allows growth, repair of damaged cells, and replacement of old cells.
How is mitosis different from cytokinesis?
Mitosis divides the nucleus; cytokinesis divides the cytoplasm.
What could happen if cell division becomes uncontrolled?
It may lead to cancer or tumor formation.
Why is the plasma membrane important for cell balance (homeostasis)?
It maintains internal conditions by regulating exchange with the environment.
Why are phospholipids important in the plasma membrane?
They form the bilayer that separates the cell from its environment.