 | Term | Definition |
| |
cell division |
the process by which a cell divides into two new daughter cells |
| |
mitosis |
part of eukaryotic cell division during which the cell nucleus divides |
| |
cytokinesis |
division of the cytoplasm during cell division |
| |
chromatid |
one of two identical "sister" parts of a duplicated chromosome |
| |
centromere |
area where the chromatids of a chromosome are attached |
| |
interphase |
period of the cell cycle between cell divisions |
| |
cell cycle |
series of events that cells go through as they grow and divide. |
| |
prophase |
longest phase of mitosis, during which the chromosomes become visible and the centrioles separate and take up positions on the opposite side of the nucleus |
| |
centriole |
one of two tiny structures located in the cytoplasm of an animal cell near the nuclear envlope |
| |
spindle |
fanlike microtubule structure that helps separate the chromosomes during mitosis |
| |
metaphase |
2nd stage of mitosis when chromosomes line up across center of cell and attach to a spindle fiber |
| |
anaphase |
3rd stage of mitosis during which the chromosomes separate and move toward opposite poles |
| |
telophase |
4th and final phase of mitosis during which the chormosomes begin to disperse into a tangle of dense material |
| |
cyclin |
one of a family of closely related proteins that regulate the cell cycle in eukaryotic cells |
| |
cancer |
disorder in which the body's own cells lose the ability to control growth |
