Cell Division Key Terms
chromosome
a doubled rod of condensed chromatin; contains DNA that carries genetic information.
zygote
a fertilized egg, produced by the joining of a sperm and an egg
asexual reproduction
a reproductive process that involves only one parent and produces offspring that are identical to the parent
haploid
an organism or cell having only one complete set of chromosomes
somatic cell
body cell
mitosis
cell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes
egg
female sex cell
telophase
last phase of mitosis, chromosome are in two new cells and nuclear membranes start to reform
sperm
male sex cell
diploid
of a cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes or twice the haploid number
sister chromatid
one of a pair of identical chromosomes created before a cell divides
daughter cell
one of two cells resulting from the division of a single cell.
parent cell
original cell before cell division
sexual reproduction
process in which genetic material from two parents combines and produces offspring that differ genetically from either parent
cell cycle
series of events that cells go through as they grow and divide
gamete
sex cell
germ cell
the cell that undergoes meiosis (in humans, only found in the ovaries and testes)
cytokinesis
the final stage of the cell cycle, in which the cell's cytoplasm divides, distributing the organelles into each of the two new cells.
prophase
the first stage of mitosis
interphase
the first stage of the cell cycle
metaphase
the second stage of mitosis
anaphase
the third phase of mitosis, during which the chromosome pairs separate and move toward opposite poles
cancer
uncontrolled cell dIvision
spindle
(biology) tiny fibers that are seen in cell division
