Cell Division, Reproduction, and Biological Processes

Stages of Cell Division

Prophase: The first stage of cell division, before metaphase, during which the chromosomes become visible as paired chromatids and the nuclear envelope disappears. The first prophase of meiosis includes the reduction division.

Metaphase: The second stage of cell division, between prophase and anaphase, during which the chromosomes become attached to the spindle fibers.

Anaphase: The stage of meiotic or mitotic cell division in which the chromosomes move away from one another to opposite poles of the spindle.

Telophase: The final phase of cell division, between anaphase and interphase, in which the chromatids or chromosomes move to opposite ends of the cell and two nuclei are formed.

Cytokinesis: The cytoplasmic division of a cell at the end of mitosis or meiosis, bringing about the separation into two daughter cells.

Interphase: The resting phase between successive mitotic divisions of a cell, or between the first and second divisions of meiosis.

Cellular Components and Processes

Prokaryotes: Microscopic single-celled organisms that have neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized organelles. Prokaryotes include bacteria and cyanobacteria.

Cytoplasm: The material or protoplasm within a living cell, excluding the nucleus.

Diffusion: The net passive movement of particles (atoms, ions, or molecules) from a region in which they are in higher concentration to regions of lower concentration.

Reproduction

Sexual Reproduction: The production of new living organisms by combining genetic information from two individuals of different types (sexes). In most higher organisms, one sex (male) produces a small motile gamete that travels to fuse with a larger stationary gamete produced by the other (female).

Asexual Reproduction: A type of reproduction by which offspring arise from a single organism and inherit the genes of that parent only; it does not involve the fusion of gametes and almost never changes the number of chromosomes.

Other Biological Terms

Types of Muscle Tissue: Cardiac, smooth, and skeletal.

Alveoli: Any of the many tiny air sacs of the lungs which allow for rapid gaseous exchange.

Risks of Organ Donation:

• Infection
• Rejection
• Pain
• Blood clotting
• Reaction to anesthesia
• Pneumonia
• Lung collapse
• Kidney damage
• Death

Hereditary: Conferred by or based on inheritance.

Benign: Not harmful in effect; in particular, (of a tumor) not malignant.

Malignant: Very virulent or infectious.

Daughter Cells: Either of the two cells formed when a cell undergoes division by mitosis.

Parent Cell: A cell that is the source of other cells.