Cell Growth and Division

Cell Growth and Division

Definitions and info.

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Cell Division: The process by which a cell divides to form two daughter cells. Upon completion of the process, each daughter cell contains the same genetic material as the original cell and roughly half of its cytoplasm.

Chromatid: Either of the two daughter strands of a replicated chromosome that are joined by a single centromere and separate during cell division to become individual chromosomes.

Centromere: A specialized structure on the chromosome, appearing during cell division as the constricted central region where the two chromatids are held together and form an X shape.

Interphase: The stage in the development of a cell following mitosis or meiosis, during which the nucleus is not dividing. In cells that will undergo further division, the DNA in the nucleus is duplicated in preparation for the next division. Also called interkinesis.

Cell Cycle: The series of events involving the growth, replication, and division of a eukaryotic cell.

Mitosis: 1.) The process in cell division by which the nucleus divides, typically consisting of four stages, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, and normally resulting in two new nuclei, each of which contains a complete copy of the parental chromosomes. Also called karyokinesis.

2.) The entire process of cell division including division of the nucleus and the cytoplasm.

Prophase: The first stage of mitosis or meiosis in eukaryotic cell division, during which the nuclear envelope breaks down and strands of chromatin form into chromosomes.

Centriole: Either of a pair of cylinder-shaped bodies found in the centrosome of most eukaryotic organisms other than plants. During cell division (both mitosis and meiosis), the centrioles move apart to help form the spindle, which then distributes the chromosomes in the dividing cell.

Spindle: A spindle-shaped structure, composed of microtubules, that forms near the cell nucleus during mitosis or meiosis and, as it divides, draws the chromosomes to opposite poles of the cell.



Metaphase: The stage of mitosis and meiosis, following prophase and preceding anaphase, during which the chromosomes are aligned along the metaphase plate.

Anaphase: The stage of cell division in mitosis or meiosis in which the doubled set of chromosomes separates into two identical groups that move to opposite ends of the cell. Anaphase is preceded by metaphase and followed by telophase.

Telophase: The final stage of meiosis or mitosis, in which the separated chromosomes reach the opposite poles of the dividing cell and the nuclei of the daughter cells form around the two sets of chromosomes.

Cytokinesis: The division of the cytoplasm of a cell following the division of the nucleus.

Cyclin: A class of proteins that fluctuate in concentration at specific points during the cell cycle and that regulate the cycle by binding to a kinase.

Cancer: Any of various malignant neoplasms characterized by the proliferation of anaplastic cells that tend to invade surrounding tissue and metastasize to new body sites.