Cell Communication and Signaling

The process by which cells communicate with each other through signals and receptors, initiating intracellular responses.

A process where bacteria coordinate their behavior in response to cell density using signaling molecules.

A protein that binds to a specific signaling molecule (ligand) to initiate a cellular response.

A signaling molecule that binds to a specific receptor.

A receptor protein embedded in the cell membrane, receiving signals from outside the cell.

A receptor protein located inside the cell, often responding to hydrophobic ligands.

The process by which a signal from outside the cell is converted into a cellular response.

Small, non-protein molecules that amplify and relay signals inside the cell.

A series of enzyme activations where each enzyme phosphorylates the next in the sequence.

The change in cellular activity brought about by cell signaling.

A process where a small initial signal triggers a large response.

Proteins that organize signaling molecules in space and time to regulate cellular responses.

Programmed cell death that is essential for development and maintenance in animals.

Cell division is reproduction, making more cells of the same type in unicellular organisms.

Cell division in multicellular organisms is for growth, development, and repair.

The entire set of genetic instructions in an organism.

Structures containing DNA and protein.

Units of heredity that carry instructions for traits.

DNA and proteins together.

Packing chromosomes tightly.

Identical copies of a chromosome.

Region where sister chromatids join.

Division of genetic material.

Division of the cytoplasm.

Reproductive cells (sperm/egg).

Body cells.

Pairs of chromosomes with similar genes.

Identical copies of a chromosome.

The part of the cell cycle where the cell is not dividing actively.

The 'M' stands for mitosis, or the mitotic phase of the cell cycle.

Cell growth and normal function.

DNA replication.

Preparation for mitosis.

Control points that asses if a cell is ready to move to the next phase of the cycle.

Non-dividing state.

Inspect the state of a cell to ensure that DNA is correct and ready for the next action.

Forms a cleavage furrow that pinches the cell in two.

Forms a cell plate across the center of the cell, which will eventually develop into a cell wall.

A structure composed of microtubules that help guide chromosome segregation during mitosis.

A protein structure on a chromosome that makes contact with the spindle apparatus.

Midline of the cell where the chromosomes are arranged at metaphase stage of mitosis

A groove in the plasma membrane during cytokinesis in animal cells that eventually divides the cell.

Structure formed during cytokinesis in plant cells that will form the cell wall.

Cell-cycle checkpoint to assess cell growth.

The cell may enter G0 phase, undergo apoptosis, or continue if condition are met.

Examples of aneuploidy are Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), XXY (Klinefelter syndrome), XYY syndrome, XXX syndrome, and X0 (Turner syndrome).

Mitochondrial DNA is passed down exclusively from the mother.

A mitochondrial disease is a disorder caused by defects in mitochondrial DNA.

Mitochondrial replacement therapy is a technique that allows a child to inherit healthy mitochondria.

Offspring can have blood types A, B, AB, or O.

Medium-dark skin parents may have a child with light skin, but the probability depends on the genes.

A son of a mother with an X-linked recessive disorder has a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder.

XX inheritance (two X chromosomes) associated with disorders if one X chromosome is inactivated.

During metaphase of mitosis, chromosomes align at the cell's equator.

Independent assortment produces 16 possible gamete types from genotype AaBbCCDdEE.

Chromosomes are composed of DNA and proteins.

Cell membrane receptors include channel, enzymatic, and G protein-linked receptors.

Vitamin D's receptor is located inside the cell because it is lipid-soluble.

Mendel's crosses follow a specific order, but the exact order is not provided.

Two copies of the allele are needed to express the trait.

Only one copy of the allele is needed to express the trait.

A person with one recessive allele for a disorder but doesn't show it.

Screening for carrier status for genetic disorders.

Testing a fetus for genetic disorders during pregnancy.

Procedure to collect amniotic fluid for fetal genetic testing.

Procedure to get a tissue sample from the placenta for testing.

Genetic testing performed within days of birth to detect genetic disorders.

Cross between two heterozygous individuals for one trait.

Ratio of different phenotypes in offspring.

Ratio of different genotypes in offspring.

Heterozygotes show an intermediate phenotype.

Both alleles are fully expressed in heterozygotes.

More than two alleles for a gene.

One gene influencing multiple traits.

One gene influencing the expression of another gene.

Multiple genes influencing a single trait.

Genes for different traits are sorted independently during meiosis.

Parents' genotypes for a child with a recessive inherited disorder (like PKU) must be heterozygous (carrying one copy of the affected gene and one normal copy).

Biofilm formation is stimulated by cell signaling, leading to coordinated bacterial behaviors.

A nucleus in G2 phase has replicated chromosomes, while a nucleus in G1 has unreplicated chromosomes.

Crossing over and independent assortment during meiosis create genetic variation.

Plant cytokinesis forms a cell plate during division.

A chicken's gamete (egg/sperm) has half the number of chromosomes as its somatic cells.

Chicken offspring somatic cells have the same number of chromosomes as the parent (78).

The sequential steps where a signal triggers a response inside a cell; receptor binding, conformational change, signal transduction, and cellular response.

Humans have 22 pairs of autosomes.

In Metaphase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair up at the metaphase plate, while in mitosis individual chromosomes line up.

The differently shaded chromosomes in Metaphase I represent homologous chromosomes.

Identical copies of a chromosome formed by DNA replication, joined at the centromere.

A chromosome, before replication, is one DNA molecule. After replication, it exists as two identical sister chromatids, joined together.

Mitosis creates identical diploid cells for growth and repair; Meiosis creates genetically unique haploid cells for sexual reproduction.

One round of division (one cell becomes two identical cells)

Two rounds of division (one cell becomes four genetically unique cells)

Three processes (crossing over, independent assortment, random fertilization) create diversity in offspring

Asexual reproduction is advantageous in a stable environment because it doesn't require the pairing and fusion of gametes and results in offspring identical to the parent.

A failure of homologous chromosomes to separate during anaphase I, leading to gametes with abnormal chromosome numbers

Without completing cytokinesis in meiosis, there will be one cell containing more than two complete sets of chromosomes.

Crossing over in meiosis I shuffles genetic material between homologous chromosomes, increasing genetic diversity in gametes

Pea plants are easy to grow, have readily identifiable traits, and are easily self-and cross-pollinated.

Mendel's controlled breeding experiments and systematic data collection led to the discovery of inheritance laws.