Cell cycle

Introduction

The cell cycle is a sequence of events during which the cell grows and divides. This includes the dividing phase (M phase) and the phase in between divisions (interphase). Interphase can be further divided into:

• G1: Cell growth and metabolic activity
• S: DNA replication
• G2: Cell growth and metabolic activity

During the M phase, the nucleus of the cell divides during mitosis, which includes 5 stages: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Cytokinesis, the phase where the cytoplasm divides, starts during late anaphase and ends after telophase. The end result of cell division is two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

The cell cycle is regulated by cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases (CDK). Quality control during the cycle is maintained at checkpoints. The loss of control over the cell cycle can have devastating consequences such as cancer.

Explore concepts

Cell cycle

The cell cycle is a series of events that ends with the cell dividing into two daughter cells. This process is closely monitored at specific checkpoints.

DNA replication

During the S phase of the cell cycle, DNA replicates. This semiconservative process involves a sequence of events forming two DNA molecules from one.

Cell division

Somatic cells reproduce by forming two daughter cells during each cycle. This process occurs during the M phase of the cell cycle and includes nuclear division (mitosis) and cytoplasmic division (cytokinesis).

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Summary