The Cell Cycle

Front

Cell Cycle Noun

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[sel sy-kuhl]

Back

Cell Cycle

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The cycle of growth, development, and division that most cells in an organism go through to produce new cells.

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Example: This diagram shows the cell cycle as a circular process with distinct phases: Interphase (G1, S, G2) for growth and DNA replication, and Mitosis for cell division.

Front

Interphase Noun

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[in-ter-fayz]

Back

Interphase

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The period of a cell's growth and development, including DNA replication, that occurs between mitotic divisions.

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Example: This diagram shows the cell cycle, where Interphase is the long phase of cell growth and DNA copying before the cell divides.

Front

Mitosis Noun

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[my-toh-sis]

Back

Mitosis

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The process of nuclear division in eukaryotic cells where one nucleus divides to form two genetically identical nuclei.

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Example: This diagram shows how a single mother cell first copies its DNA and then divides to create two new, identical daughter cells.

Front

Cytokinesis Noun

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[sy-toh-ki-nee-sis]

Back

Cytokinesis

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The final stage of the cell cycle where the cytoplasm divides, resulting in two separate daughter cells.

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Example: This diagram shows an animal cell dividing its cytoplasm and organelles to form two new, separate daughter cells after the chromosomes have been separated.

Front

Chromatin Noun

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[kroh-muh-tin]

Back

Chromatin

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The complex of DNA and proteins within the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell that condenses to form chromosomes.

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Example: This diagram shows chromatin, the material that makes up chromosomes, located inside the cell's nucleus along with other important parts like the nucleolus.

Front

Chromosome Noun

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[kroh-muh-sohm]

Back

Chromosome

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A condensed, thread-like structure of DNA and protein that carries genetic information in the form of genes.

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Example: This image shows a chromosome's location in the cell's nucleus and its structure, which includes two sister chromatids joined at a centromere.

Front

Sister Chromatids Noun

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[sis-ter kroh-muh-tidz]

Back

Sister Chromatids

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The two identical copies of a single replicated chromosome that are joined together by a common centromere.

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Example: This diagram shows a replicated chromosome, which consists of two identical copies called sister chromatids, joined together at a central point called the centromere.

Front

Centromere Noun

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[sen-truh-meer]

Back

Centromere

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The specialized region of a chromosome that links a pair of sister chromatids during cell division.

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Example: This diagram shows a chromosome and uses a pointer to identify the centromere, the central point where the two sister chromatids are joined.

Front

Prophase Noun

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[proh-fayz]

Back

Prophase

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

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Example: This diagram shows a cell in prophase, where the duplicated chromosomes condense and become visible, and the spindle fibers begin to form.

Front

Metaphase Noun

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[met-uh-fayz]

Back

Metaphase

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The stage of mitosis in which condensed chromosomes align along the equatorial plate in the middle of the cell.

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Example: This diagram shows a cell in metaphase, where the chromosomes, attached to spindle fibers, line up in a single file line at the cell's center.