Cell Cycle and Mitosis

Front

What is the cell cycle?

Back

The cell cycle is the series of phases that a cell goes through as it grows and divides, including interphase (G1, S, G2) and mitotic phase (mitosis and cytokinesis).

Front

What happens during prophase?

Back

During prophase, chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and spindle fibers begin to form.

Front

What is anaphase?

Back

Anaphase is the stage of mitosis where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell.

Front

What is the role of spindle fibers?

Back

Spindle fibers are structures that help separate chromosomes during cell division by attaching to the centromeres and pulling them apart.

Front

What occurs during telophase?

Back

During telophase, the chromosomes reach the poles, the nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes, and the chromosomes begin to de-condense.

Front

Define cytokinesis.

Back

Cytokinesis is the process that follows mitosis, where the cytoplasm of a parental cell divides into two daughter cells.

Front

What is a karyotype?

Back

A karyotype is a visual representation of an individual's chromosomes, arranged in pairs and organized by size and shape.

Front

What is the function of the centromere?

Back

The centromere is the region of a chromosome that holds sister chromatids together and is essential for their proper segregation during cell division.

Front

What happens if spindle fibers do not form?

Back

If spindle fibers do not form, mitotic division cannot proceed past metaphase, leading to cell cycle arrest.

Front

What are chromatids?

Back

Chromatids are identical strands of a chromosome that are formed during DNA replication and are joined together at the centromere.