Cell Division Stages Quiz

Interphase

• The cell prepares to divide
• Genetic material doubles
• Sister chromatids are held together by the centromere

Prophase

• Chromatin condenses
• Chromatin is made up of DNA and proteins that make chromosomes
• Centrioles appear and move to opposite ends of the cell
• Centrioles begin the formation of spindle fibers between the poles

Metaphase

• Sister chromatids line up in the center of the cell
• Sister chromatids are attached to spindle fibers

Anaphase

• Sister chromatids separate and are pulled to opposite ends of the cell by spindle fibers

Telophase

• Two new nuclei and nuclear membranes form
• Chromosomes appear as chromatin

Cytokinesis

• The cell membrane moves inward to create two daughter cells
• Each daughter cell contains its own nucleus with identical chromosomes

Characteristics of Life

• All living things are made of one or more cells, the simplest level of life.
• Not all cells are alike and they perform different functions.
• The cell membrane surrounds and separates the cell from its environment.
• Unicellular organisms are made of a single cell.
• Multicellular organisms are made up of multiple cells.
• All living things are organized.
• In multicellular organisms, cells are organized into tissues, organs, and organ systems.
• Growth results in an increase in living material and the formation of new structures.
• All organisms grow.
• Development involves structural changes that occur during an organism's lifetime.
• Only multicellular organisms go through development.
• Reproduction is the production of offspring.
• Reproduction is vital for the survival of a species, not for an individual organism.
• Without reproduction, a population would go extinct.
• Extinction is when a population of organisms dies out completely.
• All living things respond to stimuli, which can be air, water, weather, temperature, other organisms, etc.
• Organisms respond to stimuli to stay safe and adapt to changes in their environment.
• Organisms respond to the level of water and nutrients within their bodies.
• Energy is the ability to make things change.
• Energy powers life processes and allows organisms to carry out important functions.
• Heterotrophs, like animals, get energy from food.
• Autotrophs, like plants, get energy from the sun through photosynthesis.
• Homeostasis is the regulation of an organism's internal environment to maintain conditions suitable for life.
• Homeostasis keeps everything in balance.
• Sweating is an example of how organisms maintain homeostasis.
• Adaptations evolve over time through natural selection.