Chapter 6.5 Vocabulary Cell Processes
cell cycle- The series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and duplication of
its DNA (DNA replication) to produce two daughter cells
mitosis- A stage of the cell cycle where the cell divides into two identical daughter cells during
prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase; it can be broken into PMAT, the daughter cells
have the same amount of DNA as the parent cell.
differentiation – A process of how generic cells become specialized cells (through a process
called gene expression.)
interphase- The phase of the cell cycle in which a typical cell spends most of its life. During this
phase, the cell can copy its DNA in preparation for mitosis.
prophase- Chromosomes condense and become visible. Nuclear membrane that surrounds the
nucleus starts to break down and dissolve. Centrioles move toward the poles and spindles
emerge.
metaphase- Chromosomes line up in the MIDDLE. Spindles attached to the chromatids.
anaphase -Chromatids are pulled APART to the poles.
telophase - Chromosomes become less visible. Nuclear membrane surrounds the genetic
material on each side.
cytokinesis- The physical process of the cell dividing, which divides the cytoplasm of a parental
cell into two daughter cells.
meiosis- A type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of
chromosomes of the parent cell, as in the production of gametes and plant spores.
chromosome- Are structures made of protein and a single molecule of DNA. DNA contains the
specific instructions that make each type of living creature. The DNA is supper condensed into
pairs.
diploid-A cell containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.
haploid-A cell with a single set of unpaired chromosomes
body/somatic cell- A general term for the body cells found in a living organism.
gamete-The male or female reproductive cell that contains half the genetic material of the
organism.
sex chromosome- The chromosome that has the traits for being either male or female
fertilization- The union of a human egg and sperm.
sexual reproduction- When gametes come together to form an offspring that is not identical to
the parent.
asexual reproduction- The formation of an identical offspring from a parent via the body cells.
zygote-A diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes; a fertilized ovum
DNA replication-The process of producing an exact copy of DNA
protein synthesis- The process by which amino acids are connected together to make a protein;
Many other molecules are involved in this process. The last stage or process of protein synthesis
where mRNA is converted into a protein.
translation-the process in which cellular ribosomes create proteins. In translation, messenger
RNA (mRNA)—produced by transcription from DNA—is decoded by a ribosome to produce a
specific amino acid chain, or polypeptide.
transcription-the first step of protein synthesis where MRNA is made from the gene on the
DNA
codon-A sequence of three DNA or RNA nucleotides that corresponds with a specific amino
acid
amino acid-Building blocks of proteins.
nucleotide- Building blocks of nucleic acids which form the basic structural unit of nucleic acids
such as DNA.
ribosome- The organelle that combines mRNA to the tRNA for making proteins.
anticodon- A sequence of three nucleotides on the tRNA that matches the codon of the mRNA
genetics- The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.
genotype- A set of alleles that determines the expression of a particular characteristic or trait.
phenotype- The physical expression of the trait based on genotype.
dominant gene- Gene that overrides the recessive gene, it is given a Capital letter
recessive gene- A gene that is over powered by the dominant gene, it is given a lower case letter.
homozygous- A genotype where the offspring gets the same allele from mom & dad for a trait.
heterozygous- A genotype where the alleles from mom & dad are different.
punnet square- A mathematical tool used to predict the outcome of a particular trait in the
offspring.
allele- one of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the
same place on a chromosome
Definitions from:
Biology.com
Dictionary. Com
Wikipedia.com
Integrated Science Text-BSCS