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 nucleotide at the ends of DNA molecules that do not form genes and help prevent the 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 where 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 chormosomes 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 the other parts of the body, causing harm to the organisms 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.
