| A | B |
|---|
| cell cycle | pattern of growth, DNA replication, and cell division that occurs in a eukaryotic cell |
| mitosis | process by which a cell divides its nucleus and contents |
| cytokinesis | process by which the cell cytoplasm divides |
| chromosome | long, continuous thread of DNA that consists of numerous genes and regulatory information |
| histone | protein that organizes chromosomes and around which DNA wraps |
| chromatin | loose combination of DNA and proteins that is present during interphase |
| chromatid | one half of a duplicated chromosome |
| centromere | region of condensed chromosome that looks pinched; where spindle fibers attach during meiosis and mitosis |
| telomere | repeating nucleotides at the ends of DNA molecules that do not form genes and help prevent loss of genes |
| prophase | first phase of mitosis when chromatin condenses, the nuclear envelope breaks down, the nucleolus disappears, and the centrosomes and centrioles migrate to opposite sides of the cell |
| metaphase | second phase of mitosis when spindle fibers align the chromosomes along the cell equator |
| anaphase | third phase of mitosis during which chromatids separate and are pulled to opposite sides of the cell |
| telophase | last phase of mitosis when a complete set of identical chromosomes is positioned at each pole of the cell, the nuclear membranes start to form, the chromosomes begin to uncoil, and the spindle fibers disassemble |
| growth factor | broad group of proteins that stimulate cell division |
| apoptosis | programmed cell death |
| cancer | common name for a class of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell division |
| benign | having no dangerous effect on health, especially referring to an abnormal growth of cells that are not cancerous |
| malignant | cancerous tumor in which cells break away and spread to other parts of the body, causing harm to the organism's health |
| metastasize | to spread by transferring a disease-causing agent from the site of the disease to other parts of the body |
| carcinogen | substance that produces or promotes the development of cancer |
| asexual reproduction | process by which offspring are produced from a single parent; does not involve the joining of gametes |
| binary fission | asexual reproduction in which a cell divides into two equal parts |
| tissue | group of cells that work together to perform a similar function |
| organ | group of different types of tissues that work together to perform a specific function or related functions |
| organ system | two or more organs that work in a coordinated way to carry out similar functions |
| cell differentiation | processes by which unspecialized cells develop into their mature form and function |
| stem cell | cell that can divide for long periods of time while remaining undifferentiated |
