Cell Division and the Cell Cycle

The cell cycle is the process of a cell duplicating its genetic material (DNA), synthesizing cellular components, and dividing into two daughter cells. It's the life cycle of a cell.

This is the phase of the cell cycle where DNA is replicated. The amount of DNA doubles, but the chromosome number stays the same.

The interphase is the period between two cell divisions. It's the longest phase of the cell cycle and includes the G1, S, and G2 phases.

The M phase, or mitosis, represents the time when a cell visibly divides into two daughter cells. It's a shorter phase compared to interphase.

Prophase is the first phase of mitosis where condensed chromosomal material becomes visible under a microscope. The nuclear envelope breaks down, and the centrioles move to opposite poles of the cell.

Metaphase is the mitotic phase where the condensed chromosomes line up at the equator of the cell, attached to spindle fibers originating from the centrioles.

Anaphase is the stage of mitosis where the sister chromatids of each chromosome separate and move towards opposite poles of the cell. This is the actual separation of the chromosomes.

Telophase marks the end of mitosis. The chromosomes reach the opposite poles, the nuclear envelope reforms, and the cytoplasm divides resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells.

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes condense and align along the cell's equator.

The area where sister chromatids are joined together.

Small disc-shaped structures on centromeres that attach to spindle fibers.

The process where centromeres split, sister chromatids separate, and move to opposite poles.

The stage where chromosomes decondense, the nuclear envelope reforms, and the cytoplasm divides.

The division of the cytoplasm, resulting in two daughter cells.

The formation of a new cell wall in plant cells, starting from the center and growing outwards.

A situation where multiple nuclei are present within a single cell, often due to karyokinesis without cytokinesis.

Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in a cell by half, producing four haploid daughter cells from one diploid parent cell. This process is essential for sexual reproduction.

Meiosis involves two rounds of division: Meiosis I and Meiosis II. It's like dividing your belongings twice, first between two sets of friends and then between each friend's two hands.

During prophase I, the chromosomes condense and become visible. Homologous chromosomes pair up, forming bivalents, and crossing over can occur.

Crossing over is the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase I. It's like swapping parts between two sets of identical twins.

The synaptonemal complex is a protein structure that holds homologous chromosomes together during synapsis. It acts like a zipper, ensuring the chromosomes are lined up correctly for crossing over.

During metaphase I, the bivalent chromosomes align on the metaphase plate, which connects to spindle fibers.

During anaphase I, homologous chromosomes separate, but sister chromatids remain attached. It's like separating two pairs of socks while keeping each pair together.

Telophase I and cytokinesis form two haploid daughter cells. This is like dividing a deck of cards into two piles, with each pile having half the cards in the original deck.