interphase
phase before mitosis; growth of cell and preparation for division
prophase
chromatin condenses into chromosomes, nuclear envelope disappears, spindle fibers start to form
G1
growth and functioning
Synthesis
DNA replicates
G2
organelles replicate in preparation for division
metaphase
chromosomes, chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell
anaphase
the sister chromatids seperate into individual chromosomes and are moved apart
telophase
chromosomes return to chromatin; nuclear membranes form; cleavage furrow begins
cytokinesis
splitting of the cytoplasm
mitosis
splitting of the nucleus
sister chromatids
Replicated forms of a chromosome joined together by the centromere and eventually separated
centromere
area connecting sister chromatids
spindle fibers
microtubules that extend from the centrioles and guide chromosome movement
nucleus
organelle that initiates cell division
somatic cell
all human body cells; not the gametes
diploid
having two sets of chromosomes; all somatic cells
haploid
having one set of chromosomes; the gametes
gamete
sex cell; egg or sperm
zygote
fertilized egg
sexual
reproduction combining genetic info from two parents
asexual
reproduction by one parent as a result of cell division
cell plate
forms in plant cells to form new cell membrane and cell wall
meiosis
cell division producing gametes
variation
differences in members of a population
homologous pair
each of the 23 pairs of human chromosomes