define: mitosis
the process of nuclear division in cell that produces daughter cells that are genetically identical to each other
what are the phases of interphase
what are the cell division phases
mitosis and cytokinesis
what are the phases of mitosis
define: chromatin
the complex of DNA and protein found in a cell’s nucleus
what occurs in gap 1, G1
what is G0
when G1 is the only phase, e.g. human nerve cells
what occurs in the synthesis phase
what occurs in gap 2, G2
cell is busy synthesizing proteins necessary for mitosis and impending cell division
what is the state of chromosomes during interphase
chromosomes are duplicated during S phase but remain as diffuse chromatin
what occurs during prophase
define: centrosomes
pairs of centrioles
define: kinetochore
site at which chromosome is attached to microtubules of the mitotic spindle
what occurs during metaphase
what occurs during anaphase
sister chromatids separate at centromere
define: disjunction
separated sister chromatids move to opposite poles
define: nondisjunction
unequal division of sister chromatids
what occurs during telophase
what occurs during cytokinesis
cytoplasm divides, splitting the parent cell into two daughter cells
define: meiosis
the process of gamete formation that produces daughter cells that are genetically distinct from each other
what happens to the chromosome number during meiosis
reduced from diploid (2n) to haploid (n)
define: somatic cells
cells of the body other than germ cells
what does n represent
the number of chromosomes in a gamete
define: germ cells
pockets of specialized cells incorporated into ovaries and testes; undergo meiosis to form gametes