Cell Cycle and Mitosis Overview

The orderly sequence of events describing a cell's life from division of a single parent cell to the production of two daughter cells.

The genetic material of a cell, packaged as double-stranded DNA molecules.

The region in a prokaryotic cell containing the genetic material.

Small loops of non-essential DNA found in some prokaryotes.

The process of transferring genetic material between bacteria, often resulting in traits like antibiotic resistance.

Linear double-stranded DNA molecules found in eukaryotic cells.

The characteristic number of chromosomes in a species.

A cell containing two matched sets of chromosomes.

A cell containing one set of chromosomes, like sperm or egg cells.

Matched pairs of chromosomes in a diploid organism, having the same length and genes at the same locations.

Functional units of chromosomes that code for specific proteins.

Variations of characteristics determined by genes.

The process of tightly packaging DNA into compact chromosomes.

The phase of the cell cycle when DNA is replicated.

Identical pairs of DNA molecules that result from DNA replication.

The region where sister chromatids are connected.

The structure responsible for organizing and moving chromosomes during mitosis.

Rod-like objects found in animal cell centrosomes that help organize cell division.

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell prepares for division.

The first stage of interphase where the cell grows and accumulates resources.

The second stage of interphase when DNA is replicated.

The third stage of interphase where the cell grows further and prepares for mitosis.

The stage of the cell cycle where the cell nucleus divides.

The stage of the cell cycle where the cytoplasm divides.

The first stage of mitosis where chromosomes condense and the mitotic spindle forms.

The second stage of mitosis where the nuclear envelope breaks down and microtubules attach to chromosomes.

The third stage of mitosis where chromosomes align at the center of the cell.

The fourth stage of mitosis where sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles of the cell.

The fifth and final stage of mitosis where the nuclear envelope reforms and chromosomes decondense.

A contractile ring composed of actin filaments that helps divide the cytoplasm in animal cells.

A vesicular structure formed during cytokinesis in plant cells, which eventually forms the cell wall.

The state where cells are not actively preparing to divide and are inactive.

Control mechanisms within cells that ensure proper cell cycle progression.

A point in the cell cycle where progression is halted until conditions are favorable.

The checkpoint in the cell cycle that assesses cell size, resources, DNA damage, and the commitment to division.

The checkpoint in the cell cycle that ensures all chromosomes have been replicated and DNA is undamaged.

The checkpoint in the cell cycle that ensures all sister chromatids are correctly attached to the spindle fibers.