Ch. 9 Vocabulary Advanced Biology

Cell Cycle – A cycle in which cells reproduce by growing and dividing Interphase – The stage during which the cell grows, carries out cellular functions, and replicates (makes copies of its DNA) in preparation for the next stage of the cycle Mitosis – The stage of the cell cycle during which the cell’s nucleus and nuclear material divide

Cytokinesis – The method by which a cell’s cytoplasm divides, creating a new cell Chromosomes – The structures that contain the genetic material that is passed from generation to generation of cells Chromatin – The relaxed form of DNA in the cell’s nucleus Prophase – The first and longest stage of mitosis Sister Chromatids – Structures that contain identical copies of DNA

Centromere – The structure at the center of the chromosome where the sister chromatids are attached Spindle Apparatus – A structure that consists of the spindle fibers, centrioles, and aster fibers; Important in moving and organizing the chromosomes before cell division Metaphase – The second stage of mitosis Anaphase – The third stage of mitosis Telophase – The last stage of mitosis

Cyclins – Proteins that bind to enzymes in the stages of interphase and mitosis to start the various activities that take place in the cell cycle Cyclin-dependent Kinases – Enzymes that cyclins bind to Cancer – The uncontrolled growth and division of cells – a failure in the regulation of the cell cycle Carcinogens – Substances and agents that are know to cause cancer

Apoptosis – Programmed cell death Stem Cells – Unspecialized cells that can develop into specialized cells when under the right conditions