Cell cycle: Cell biology

• Chromosomes


  Molecules of tightly-packed DNA that contain many genes

  
• DNA molecules


  Chemical molecules found in every living organism that hold instructions for growth and development

  
• Genetic material


  The general term for the material used to store genetic information in a cell

  
• Genes


  A small section of DNA that controls a specific characteristic

  
• Nucleus


  Contains the genetic material in a eukaryotic cell

  
• Cell cycle


  Repeating phases of cell growth, replication and division in cells

  
• Growth phase


  When the cell grows and increases its number of sub-cellular structures such as mitochondria and ribosomes

  
• Replication phase

  When the cell doubles its genetic material by synthesising new DNA

  
• Cell division


  When one cell divides to form two or more daughter cells

  
• Mitosis


  A type of cell division where two identical daughter cells are formed with the same genetic material as the parent cell

  
• Process of mitosis


  One set of chromosomes is pulled to each end of the cell, the nucleus then divides, the cytoplasm and cell membranes eventually divide, two identical cells are formed

  
• Daughter cells

  The new cells formed as a result of the division of a cell

  
• Reasons for mitosis


  Growth, repair and development of multicellular organisms
• Asexual reproduction


  How some organisms reproduce to form identical offspring using mitosis

  
• Chromosome pairs


  How chromosomes are normally found in body cells

  
• Body cell


  A typical cell that undergoes mitosis and is not involved in sexual reproduction