Cell cycle and mitosis

• Why do cells need to divide in the body?

  To allow the body to grow and replace damaged cells
• What is the cell cycle?

  The process by which cells grow and divide repeatedly
• What are the two main parts of cell division?

  Cell growth and mitosis
• What happens during the 'S' phase of the cell cycle?

  The DNA is replicated
• What is mitosis?

  The process by which a cell reproduces itself by splitting into two identical offspring
• How is DNA organized before a cell divides?

  It forms X-shaped chromosomes
• What happens to the chromosomes during mitosis?

  They line up at the center of the cell and are pulled apart
• What forms around the sets of chromosomes after they are pulled apart?

  Membranes that become the nuclei of the new cells
• What happens to the cytoplasm during cell division?

  It divides to form two new cells
• What is the genetic relationship between the two new cells after division?

  They are genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell
• What are the characteristics of most cells?

  • Found in multicellular organisms
  • Include plant cells
  • Have specialized functions
  • Most cells are small
• What do palisade leaf cells contain that is important for photosynthesis?

  Chloroplasts loaded with starch
• What is the role of sperm cells in reproduction?

  To fertilize the egg