Chromosomes
Differentiation
(biology) the structural adaptation of some body part for a particular function
Recombination
(genetics) a combining of genes or characters different from what they were in the parents
Meiosis
(genetics) cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms
Homologous chromosomes
Chromosomes with matching information
N (haploid, monoploid)
Half the number of chromosomes
2N (diploid)
The normal number of chromosomes
Gonad
a gland in which gametes (sex cells) are produced
Gamete
a mature sexual reproductive cell having a single set of unpaired chromosomes
Morula
a solid mass of blastomeres that forms when the zygote splits
Centromere
a specialized condensed region of each chromosome that appears during mitosis where the chromatids are held together to form an X shape
Mitosis
cell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes
Autosomes
chromosomes that are not directly involved in determining the sex of an individual
Gastrula
double-walled stage of the embryo resulting from invagination of the blastula
Blastula
early stage of an embryo produced by cleavage of an ovum
Non-disjunction
meiosis in which there is a failure of paired homologous chromosomes to separate
Sex chromosomes
one of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in the human, contains genes that will determine the sex of the individual
Fertilization
process in sexual reproduction in which male and female reproductive cells join to form a new cell
Interphase
stage of the cell cycle during which a cell carries out its metabolic processes and performs its functions in the body
Disjunction
the act of breaking a connection
Cleavage
the act of cleaving or splitting
Karyotype
the appearance of the chromosomal makeup of a somatic cell in an individual or species (including the number and arrangement and size and structure of the chromosomes)
Tetrad
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
Zygote
the cell resulting from the union of an ovum and a spermatozoon (including the organism that develops from that cell)
Telophase
the final stage of mitosis
Prophase
the first stage of mitosis
Growth
the gradual beginning or coming forth
Crossing over
the interchange of sections between pairing homologous chromosomes during the prophase of meiosis
Chromatin
the readily stainable substance of a cell nucleus consisting of DNA and RNA and various proteins
Metaphase
the second stage of mitosis
Synapsis
the side by side pairing of homologous maternal and paternal chromosomes at the start of meiosis
Specialization
the special line of work you have adopted as your career
Anaphase
the stage of meiosis or mitosis when chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle
Chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
Chromatids
two identical chromosomes that split and contain the same genetic material
