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The Cell Cycle and Mitosis

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  • What does the cell theory state about cells?
    All cells come from pre-existing cells.
  • What is the cell cycle?
    The cell cycle refers to events where a cell's life begins and ends with one cell dividing to produce two new cells.
  • What are the main phases of the cell cycle?
    Interphase (cell growth and DNA replication) and Cell Division (mitosis and cytokinesis).
  • What happens during interphase?
    The cell spends most of its life in interphase, growing and replicating DNA in preparation for division.
  • What are the three subphases of interphase?
    G1 (growth), S (DNA synthesis), and G2 (growth and preparation for mitosis).
  • What is mitosis?
    Mitosis is the division of the nucleus, resulting in two identical daughter nuclei.
  • What is cytokinesis?
    Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm, completing cell division.
  • What are chromosomes made of?
    Chromosomes are made of DNA and proteins.
  • What is a chromosome?
    A chromosome is a structure of DNA that carries genetic information.
  • What are sister chromatids?
    Sister chromatids are two identical copies of a chromosome connected at the centromere.
  • How many chromosomes do humans have?
    Humans have 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs.
  • What happens during prophase?
    Duplicated chromosomes condense and become visible; the nuclear envelope disappears; centrioles move apart forming spindle fibers.
  • What occurs in prometaphase?
    The spindle continues forming; the nuclear envelope fragments; kinetochores attach to spindle fibers.
  • What happens during metaphase?
    Chromosomes align at the cell's equator; centromeres are at the metaphase plate.
  • Describe anaphase in mitosis.
    Sister chromatids split and are pulled to opposite poles; the cell elongates.
  • What occurs during telophase?
    Nuclear envelopes form around chromosomes; chromosomes decondense; spindle microtubules break down; cytokinesis begins.
  • What is cytokinesis in animal cells?
    The cytoplasm divides by a cleavage furrow that pinches the cell into two.
  • How does cytokinesis differ in plant cells?
    Vesicles from the Golgi apparatus form a cell plate that develops into a new cell wall.
  • What is binary fission?
    Binary fission is the process of cell division in prokaryotes, producing two identical cells.
  • Why is mitosis important?
    Mitosis ensures genetic material is equally divided, allowing growth, repair, and asexual reproduction.