When referring to a female sibling, the word sister is used. It can refer to an individual who is female, or to a member of a group of people who are all female. A sister is also known as a svasr or syster. The term is often used in literary and religious contexts, especially when talking about sisters of religion.
In biology, a sister is a chromosome that is genetically identical to the chromosome of the parent cell. Chromosomes are single stranded structures found in the nucleus of a cell. They are generally single-stranded, but during the cell cycle, they can undergo duplication. This allows the cell to maintain genetic content across generations. Each chromosome has a specific homologous pair.
Chromosomes can be separated during the process of mitosis. For this to occur, the chromatin must decondense, which is the process of separating small proteins that make up chromatin. These proteins are arranged into a form called heterochromatin. Once chromatin decondenses, it condenses further to form the sister chromatid. Sister chromatids are held together by a protein ring, known as securin.
During the cell cycle, DNA is replicated and synthesized. This is done during the synthesis phase and the interphase. During the synthesis phase, the sister chromatids are attached to one another and are aligned along the metaphase plate at right angles to the cell poles.
After the sister chromatids are joined, they remain connected until the later stages of the cell cycle. In the early stages of the cell cycle, the paired chromatids are held together by cohesins. Cohesins are proteins that resist the pull of microtubules in the spindle. But as the spindle moves, the cohesins lose their resistance. Eventually, the sister chromatids form a new membrane between them.
In the late stages of the cell cycle, the chromatids are divided into two daughter chromosomes. One copy of each chromosome is transferred to the daughter cell. At this point, the chromatin is no longer tightly packed and can move toward the cell center.
Chromosomes have two copies, a sister chromosome and a non-sister homologous chromosome. There are a variety of processes that can cause the chromatids to separate. Genetic recombination can occur between the sister chromatids. And crossing over can also happen.
Another common usage of the word sister is in the feminist and religious contexts. Often, the term “sister” is used to refer to a woman who has professed vows to live a cloistered life. Catholic nuns, in particular, live a life of prayer and work within the Church, typically confined to a monastery.
Sisters of different religions often share a common membership. For example, a sister of a Catholic church may be a nun, a priest, or a priestess. Generally, a Catholic sister is an active and contemplative member of a monastic community, engaged in ministries that take the Gospel to others.
Sisters also care for the poor. They are involved in the education, medical, and nursing fields, among other roles. Their devotion is reflected in their commitment to serving the people. Often, a sister’s relationship with a sibling can be challenging. However, a good sister is there to support her siblings through it all. If the relationship is not mutually supportive, it can be difficult to deal with the resulting consequences.