Helpful Terms or Diagrams

Cytokinesis is the process that follows mitosis (or meiosis) in cell division, during which the cytoplasm of a parent cell is divided into two daughter cells; in animal cells, the cell membrane pinches in; in plant cells, a cell plate forms.

Chromatin is a complex of DNA and proteins found in the nuclei of eukaryotic cells; usually not visible; DNA is loosely wrapped around the proteins.

Chromosome is a long, thread-like structure made of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information; essentially, it is condensed chromatin (DNA is tightly wrapped around proteins, taking up less space in the nucleus); usually visible.

Centromere - the region of a chromosome where the two sister chromatids are joined together. It plays a crucial role during cell division, as it is the point where spindle fibers attach to pull the sister chromatids apart.

Sister chromatids are two identical copies of a single chromosome that are connected at the centromere. They are formed during DNA replication and are separated during cell division, ensuring that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.

P-arm is the shorter arm of a chromosome, located above the centromere. The designation "p" stands for "petit," which means small in French.

Q-arm is the longer arm of a chromosome, located below the centromere. The designation "q" comes from the next letter in the alphabet after "p."