Biology: Meiosis, Mitosis, Stem Cells & Cancer – Flashcards

Mitosis is a part of the cell cycle process (five stages) by which chromosomes in a cell nucleus are separated into two identical sets of chromosomes, each in its own nucleus.

#1. Interphase #2. Prophase #3. Metaphase #4. Anaphase #5. Telophase

(not an actual phase, because its the cell's everyday life.) Chromatin is loose and visible, Chromosomes are not.Cell grows, performs its normal functions, and prepares for division by copping (doubling) DNA; consists of G1, S, and G2 phases.

2nd phase, which separates the duplicated genetic material (carried in the nucleus of a parent cell) into two identical daughter cells. During prophase, the complex of DNA & proteins contained in the nucleus, known as chromatin, condenses into chromosomes. The nucleus starts to disappear, so that the DNA can be accessed.

3rd phase (M=middle), where the chromosomes aline in the middle of the cell, and are at their most condensed and coiled stage. Spindle fibers form and attach to the chromosomes. If this does not happen, mitosis wont continue, bc its the "checkpoint"

4th phase, where the chromosomes are separated and pulled apart to opposite sides of the cell, by the spindle fibers. As the cell starts to elongate, the spindle fibers shorten.

Last phase of Mitosis, also known as Cytokinesis. The process that separates the duplicated genetic material (carried in the nucleus of a parent cell) into two identical daughter cells. Cell division begins once the replicated, paired chromosomes have been separated and pulled to opposite sides, or poles, of the cell.In a plant, and new cell wall is built to separate the two cells, in an Animal cell the membrane is "pinched" to separate the two cells. Chromosomes unwind & become chromatin, once again.

Division of the cytoplasm during cell division

A hollow rod of the protein tubulin in the cytoplasm of all eukaryote cells that make up spindle fibers, & are involved in nucleic and cell division.

Cell division that produces reproductive cells (gamates) in sexually reproducing organisms.

Specialized sex cells (sperm/ egg) produced during meiosis.

Mitosis: one division forming 2 identical cells (clones) is an asexual process Meiosis: two divisions forming 4 genetically different cells, by a sexual process.

Branch of biology that deals with the development of an embryo from the fertilization of the ovum to the fetus stage.

Unspecialized cells that retain the ability to become a wide variety of specialized cells, bc they were not assigned jobs

They have less potential and are more specialized, which makes them harder to work with, then regular stem cells.

Stem Cells are unspecialized that retain the ability to become a wide variety of specialized cells and Adult Stem Cells have less potential and are more specialized, which makes them harder to work with, then regular stem cells then regular cells are.

Stem cells represent an exciting area in medicine because of their potential to regenerate & repair damaged tissue. Some current therapies, such as bone marrow transplantation, already make use of stem cells and their potential for regeneration of damaged tissues

A malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal, uncontrolled cell division, which damages the body parts around them. Cells will continue to grow and divide, even if your body does not need them too. This means that the body does not know when to start and stop mitosis.

#1. Cancer cells spend less time in interphase then regular cells do, therefore they are dividing more. #2. They have uncontrollable mitosis, where as normal cells are able to control it, this means they do not stop divsion even after a certain point, like a normal cell would. #3. Cancer cells grow faster then normal cells #4. Cancer cells are able to break away fro, groups of cells and travel to other parts in the body. #5. They have a different physical makeup, cancer cells often have parts that allow the, to grip and grab onto other cells and tissues, where as normal cells do not have that.

Cells do not respond to the signals that regulate the growth of cells, which causes them to non-stop rapidly divide.Genetic predisposition, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and/or a combination of all are factors that can cause or increase the risk of cancer.

Some people are born with a gene mutation, inherited from their mother or father. The damaged gene increases their risk of cancer, much higher than most peoples. When cancer occurs because of an inherited gene mutation, its known as a "hereditary cancer".

Certain types of infections and environmental exposures to different types of chemicals and radiation, can cause cancers. HIV (virus) is associated with risks for cervical cancer, skin cancer & etc. Environmental air pollution increase the risk of cancers, especially lung cancer.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking tobacco leads to lung cancer. A poor diet (heavy red meat consumption), with a lack of physical activity (obesity) can lead to colon, breast, kidney cancer, etc. Too much UV rays can cause wrinkles & skin cancer, very important to use sunscreen.

A group of cells that have lost their ability to control the rate at which mitosis grow and divide, which forms a mass. Tumors may be classified by location, tissue type, or degree of malignancy.

Begnin: remains in place, but can interfere with surrounding tissue development Malignant: invasive tumors, grows into surrounding tissues, if not stopped tumors can metastasize or spread to other sites, by getting into the blood stream and traveling throughout the body.

Look out for abnormal size, if its bigger then a pencil's eraser. The shape should not have irregular, ragged borders (edges) of the mole. The color should not vary or be too dark. And the asymmetry of the mole should match the other half.