Biology: Cell Cycle and Mitosis

Front

What is Interphase?

Back

Interphase is the phase of the cell cycle where cells spend about 90% of their time, carrying out normal cellular activities such as photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and protein synthesis.

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What are the resulting cells in mitosis?

Back

In mitosis, the two resulting cells are identical to the starting cell and identical to each other.

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What happens during Metaphase?

Back

During Metaphase, chromosomes line up across the middle of the cell, and spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the sister chromatids.

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What is Cytokinesis?

Back

Cytokinesis is the phase of the cell cycle where the cytoplasm divides, resulting in the formation of two new individual cells, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the original parent cell.

Front

What is the main purpose of Mitosis?

Back

The main purpose of mitosis is to ensure that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Front

What occurs during Prophase?

Back

During Prophase, the chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear envelope begins to break down, and spindle fibers start 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.

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What is Telophase?

Back

Telophase is the final stage of mitosis where the chromosomes reach the poles, the nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes, and the chromosomes begin to de-condense.

Front

Define Chromosome.

Back

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

Front

What is the role of spindle fibers?

Back

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