Cell Division Vocabulary

Malignant Tumor

• A benign growth of cells that does not invade nearby tissues.

• A cancerous mass of cells that invades and destroys nearby tissues.

• A non-cancerous tumor that can become malignant over time.

• A type of tumor that is always harmless and does not require treatment.

Benign Tumor

• Non-cancerous mass of cells, isn’t spreading to other tissue

• Cancerous mass of cells that invades nearby tissues

• Mass of cells that can spread to other parts of the body

• Mass of cells that is always harmful and requires treatment

Interphase

• Phase when the cell is actively dividing.

• Phase when the cell is NOT dividing, often mistakenly called the ‘resting phase’.

• Phase where the cell undergoes apoptosis.

• Phase where the cell only synthesizes RNA.

Anaphase

• Chromosomes are pulled apart into sister chromatids.

• Chromosomes align at the cell's equator.

• Chromosomes are duplicated and form pairs.

• Chromosomes are separated into daughter cells.

Meiosis

• Cell division in gametes (sex cells)

• Cell division in somatic cells

• A type of asexual reproduction

• A process of DNA replication

Crossing over

• Results in the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes; occurs during PROPHASE I of meiosis.

• Is the process of DNA replication before cell division.

• Refers to the separation of sister chromatids during anaphase.

• Involves the fusion of two different chromosomes.

Telophase

• Chromosomes spread out into a tangle; the nucleus reforms.

• Chromosomes condense and become visible.

• Chromosomes align at the cell's equator.

• Chromosomes are pulled apart to opposite ends of the cell.

Mitosis

• Cell division in somatic (body) cells

• Cell division in gametes

• A process of DNA replication

• A type of cellular respiration

Prophase

• Chromosomes condense and become visible, and the nucleus begins to break down.

• Chromosomes align at the cell's equator and spindle fibers attach.

• The nuclear envelope re-forms around the separated chromosomes.

• Chromosomes are replicated and the cell prepares for division.

Metastasis

• A type of benign tumor

• Cancer spreading to other parts of the body

• A method of cancer treatment

• A genetic mutation causing cancer