Normal cells stop growing when enough cells are present, while cancer cells continue dividing. Cancer cells don't respond to signals from other cells and don't undergo apoptosis. Normal cells secrete stickiness molecules, while cancer cells can spread through bloodstream. Cancer cells often have abnormal shapes, sizes, and nuclei. Normal cells mature, while cancer cells remain immature
Centrosome is main microtubule organizing center in animal cells. Composed of two centrioles arranged at right angles. Surrounded by pericentriolar material containing microtubule nucleation proteins. Each centriole contains nine-triplet microtubule assembled in cartwheel structure
Mitotic index measures cellular proliferation as mitotic cells divided by total cells. Mitosis is division of somatic cells into two daughter cells. Calculated using P, M, A, T phases and N total cells
Cell cycle is sequential events leading to cell division into two daughter cells. Eukaryotic cells have two main stages: interphase and M phase. Prokaryotic cells have B, C, and D periods
Nuclear envelope consists of two lipid bilayer membranes surrounding nucleus. Outer membrane is continuous with endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Space between membranes is called perinuclear space, 10-50 nm wide. Contains nuclear pores for material movement between cytosol and nucleus
Cell division occurs when parent cell divides into two daughter cells. Eukaryotes have mitosis for identical cells and meiosis for gametes. Prokaryotes divide through binary fission or budding. All cell divisions require DNA replication before division