AP Bio 4.4 Cell Cycle and Mitosis
38 flashcards covering AP Bio 4.4 Cell Cycle and Mitosis for the AP-BIOLOGY Unit 4 section.
The topic of the cell cycle and mitosis encompasses the series of phases that a cell undergoes to grow and divide. This concept is defined by the College Board's AP Biology Curriculum Framework, which outlines the importance of understanding the mechanisms of cell division, including the regulation of the cell cycle and the processes involved in mitosis. Knowledge of these processes is crucial for grasping how cells reproduce and how errors in these processes can lead to diseases such as cancer.
In practice exams and competency assessments, questions on this topic often focus on the stages of the cell cycle, the checkpoints that regulate progression, and the differences between mitosis and meiosis. Common traps include confusing the phases of mitosis with those of meiosis or misinterpreting the role of specific proteins involved in cell cycle regulation. A frequently overlooked aspect is the significance of the G1 checkpoint, where many students fail to recognize its critical role in preventing damaged DNA from being replicated.
Terms (38)
- 01
What is the main purpose of mitosis?
The main purpose of mitosis is to ensure equal distribution of duplicated chromosomes into two daughter cells, facilitating growth, repair, and asexual reproduction (College Board AP CED).
- 02
What are the stages of the cell cycle?
The stages of the cell cycle include interphase (G1, S, G2) and mitotic phase (mitosis and cytokinesis), which collectively drive cell division and growth (College Board AP CED).
- 03
During which phase does DNA replication occur?
DNA replication occurs during the S phase of interphase, where each chromosome is duplicated to form sister chromatids (College Board AP CED).
- 04
What is the role of checkpoints in the cell cycle?
Checkpoints in the cell cycle serve to monitor and regulate the progression of the cycle, ensuring that conditions are favorable for cell division and that DNA is intact (College Board AP CED).
- 05
What happens during prophase?
During prophase, chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the mitotic spindle begins to form (College Board AP CED).
- 06
How does cytokinesis differ in plant and animal cells?
Cytokinesis in animal cells involves the formation of a cleavage furrow, while in plant cells, a cell plate forms to divide the cell (College Board AP CED).
- 07
What is the function of the mitotic spindle?
The mitotic spindle is responsible for separating sister chromatids during mitosis, ensuring that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes (College Board AP CED).
- 08
What occurs during metaphase?
During metaphase, chromosomes align at the metaphase plate, and spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes (College Board AP CED).
- 09
What is the significance of the G1 phase?
The G1 phase is critical for cell growth and preparation for DNA synthesis, where the cell increases in size and synthesizes proteins necessary for DNA replication (College Board AP CED).
- 10
Which phase follows anaphase?
Telophase follows anaphase, during which the separated chromosomes reach opposite poles, and the nuclear envelope begins to reform around each set of chromosomes (College Board AP CED).
- 11
What triggers the transition from metaphase to anaphase?
The transition from metaphase to anaphase is triggered by the activation of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC), which degrades proteins that inhibit anaphase (College Board AP CED).
- 12
How often do human cells typically divide?
Human cells typically divide every 24 hours, although this can vary widely depending on the cell type and conditions (College Board AP CED).
- 13
What is the role of cyclins in the cell cycle?
Cyclins are proteins that regulate the cell cycle by activating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which drive the progression through different phases of the cycle (College Board AP CED).
- 14
What is the outcome of mitosis?
The outcome of mitosis is two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the original cell (College Board AP CED).
- 15
What occurs during the G2 phase?
During the G2 phase, the cell continues to grow and prepares for mitosis by producing proteins and organelles necessary for cell division (College Board AP CED).
- 16
What is the function of the centrosome during mitosis?
The centrosome organizes the microtubules that form the mitotic spindle, playing a crucial role in chromosome movement during mitosis (College Board AP CED).
- 17
What is the significance of the S phase in the cell cycle?
The S phase is significant because it is the stage where DNA is replicated, ensuring that each daughter cell receives a complete set of genetic information (College Board AP CED).
- 18
How does the cell cycle ensure genetic stability?
The cell cycle ensures genetic stability through checkpoints that verify DNA integrity and proper chromosome alignment before division (College Board AP CED).
- 19
What is a chromatid?
A chromatid is one half of a duplicated chromosome, which is joined to its sister chromatid at the centromere until they are separated during mitosis (College Board AP CED).
- 20
What occurs during telophase?
During telophase, the chromosomes de-condense, the nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes, and the cell prepares for cytokinesis (College Board AP CED).
- 21
What is the role of the p53 protein in the cell cycle?
The p53 protein acts as a tumor suppressor that regulates the cell cycle and can induce apoptosis in response to DNA damage (College Board AP CED).
- 22
What defines the G0 phase?
The G0 phase is a state where cells exit the cell cycle and enter a quiescent state, where they are metabolically active but not actively dividing (College Board AP CED).
- 23
What triggers the start of the cell cycle?
The start of the cell cycle is triggered by external signals such as growth factors that stimulate cell division (College Board AP CED).
- 24
What are the main events of anaphase?
During anaphase, the sister chromatids are pulled apart toward opposite poles of the cell by the spindle fibers (College Board AP CED).
- 25
How do cancer cells differ in their cell cycle regulation?
Cancer cells often have disrupted cell cycle regulation, leading to uncontrolled cell division and the ability to bypass normal checkpoints (College Board AP CED).
- 26
What is the purpose of the cell cycle checkpoints?
Cell cycle checkpoints serve to monitor the integrity of DNA and the proper completion of previous phases before allowing progression to the next phase (College Board AP CED).
- 27
What happens to the nuclear envelope during prophase?
During prophase, the nuclear envelope breaks down, allowing the spindle fibers to access the chromosomes (College Board AP CED).
- 28
What is the role of the spindle checkpoint?
The spindle checkpoint ensures that all chromosomes are properly attached to the spindle apparatus before anaphase begins, preventing unequal chromosome distribution (College Board AP CED).
- 29
What is the significance of the M phase?
The M phase is significant as it encompasses both mitosis and cytokinesis, leading to the physical division of the cell into two daughter cells (College Board AP CED).
- 30
What occurs during the G1 checkpoint?
During the G1 checkpoint, the cell assesses its size, nutrient availability, and DNA integrity before committing to DNA replication (College Board AP CED).
- 31
What is the role of telomeres in the cell cycle?
Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes from deterioration and play a role in limiting the number of times a cell can divide (College Board AP CED).
- 32
How does apoptosis relate to the cell cycle?
Apoptosis is a programmed cell death mechanism that can be triggered if the cell cycle detects irreparable DNA damage, preventing the propagation of damaged cells (College Board AP CED).
- 33
What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?
Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, while meiosis results in four genetically diverse gametes, reducing the chromosome number by half (College Board AP CED).
- 34
What is the function of checkpoints during the S phase?
Checkpoints during the S phase ensure that DNA replication occurs accurately and that any DNA damage is repaired before the cell proceeds to mitosis (College Board AP CED).
- 35
What is the role of kinetochores during mitosis?
Kinetochores are protein structures on the chromosome that attach to spindle fibers, facilitating the movement of chromosomes during mitosis (College Board AP CED).
- 36
What is the outcome of a cell that fails the G1 checkpoint?
A cell that fails the G1 checkpoint may enter the G0 phase or undergo apoptosis, preventing it from continuing through the cell cycle (College Board AP CED).
- 37
What is the purpose of the G2 checkpoint?
The G2 checkpoint ensures that DNA has been completely and accurately replicated and that the cell is ready to enter mitosis (College Board AP CED).
- 38
How do growth factors influence the cell cycle?
Growth factors stimulate cell division by activating signaling pathways that promote progression through the cell cycle (College Board AP CED).