Vocabulary for Mitosis and Cell Cycle

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, mitosis, and cytokinesis.

Front

What happens during interphase?

Back

During interphase, the cell grows, duplicates its DNA, and prepares for mitosis.

Front

What is mitosis?

Back

Mitosis is the process by which a cell divides its nucleus and genetic material to form two identical daughter cells.

Front

What is 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 centriole?

Back

A centriole is a cylindrical structure that helps in cell division by organizing the mitotic spindle.

Front

What is a centrosome?

Back

A centrosome is an organelle that serves as the main microtubule organizing center and is crucial during cell division.

Front

What is a chromatid?

Back

A chromatid is one half of a duplicated chromosome, which is joined to its sister chromatid by a centromere.

Front

What is a chromosome?

Back

A chromosome is a long, thread-like structure made of DNA and proteins that contains genetic information.

Front

What is a centromere?

Back

A centromere is the region of a chromosome where the two sister chromatids are joined together.

Front

What is prophase?

Back

Prophase is the first stage of mitosis where the chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes and the nuclear envelope begins to break down.