Jhonjie Perez 06-27-19

11-Einstein General Biology 1

1. Explain the cell cycle as a process.

Cell cycle, the ordered sequence of events that occur in a cell in preparation for cell
division. The cell cycle is a four-stage process in which the cell increases in size (Gap 1, or G1,
stage), copies its DNA (Synthesis, or S, stage), prepares to divide (Gap 2, or G2, stage), and
divides (mitosis, or M, stage). The stages G1, S, and G2 make up interphase, which accounts
for the span between cell divisions. On the basis of the stimulatory and inhibitory messages a
cell receives, it “decides” whether or not it should enter the cell cycle and divide. Cells use
special proteins and checkpoint signaling systems to ensure that the cell cycle progresses
properly. Checkpoints at the end of G1 and at the beginning of G2 are designed to assess DNA
for damage before and after S phase. Likewise, a checkpoint during mitosis ensures that the
cell’s spindle fibres are properly aligned in metaphase before the chromosomes are separated
in anaphase. If DNA damage or abnormalities in spindle formation are detected at these
checkpoints, the cell is forced to undergo programmed cell death, or apoptosis.

2. Enumerate the 4 phases of cell cycle. Discuss each

In eukaryotic cells, or cells with a nucleus, the stages of the cell cycle are divided into two major
phases: interphase and the mitotic (M) phase. During interphase, the cell grows and makes a
copy of its DNA. During the mitotic (M) phase, the cell separates its DNA into two sets and
divides its cytoplasm, forming two new cells.

Interphase

G1 Phase. During G1 also called the first gap phase, the cell grows physically larger, copies
organelles, and makes the molecular building blocks it will need in later steps.

S phase. In S phase, the cell synthesizes a complete copy of the DNA in its nucleus. It also
duplicates a microtubule-organizing structure called the centrosome. The centrosomes help
separate DNA during M phase.

G2 Phase. During the second gap phase, or G2 phase, the cell grows more, makes proteins
and organelles, and begins to reorganize its contents in preparation for mitosis. G2 phase ends
when mitosis begins.
The G1, S, and G2 phases together are known as interphase. The prefix inter- means between,
reflecting that interphase takes place between one mitotic (M) phase and the next.

M phase

During the mitotic (M) phase, the cell divides its copied DNA and cytoplasm to make two new
cells. M phase involves two distinct division-related processes: mitosis and cytokinesis.

In mitosis, the nuclear DNA of the cell condenses into visible chromosomes and is pulled apart
by the mitotic spindle, a specialized structure made out of microtubules. Mitosis takes place in
four stages: prophase (sometimes divided into early prophase and prometaphase), metaphase,
anaphase, and telophase.

In early prophase, the cell starts to break down some structures and build others up, setting
the stage for division of the chromosomes.

In late prophase (sometimes also called prometaphase), the mitotic spindle begins to capture
and organize the chromosomes.

In metaphase, the spindle has captured all the chromosomes and lined them up at the middle
of the cell, ready to divide.

In anaphase, the sister chromatids separate from each other and are pulled towards opposite
ends of the cell.

In telophase, the cell is nearly done dividing, and it starts to re-establish its normal structures
as cytokinesis (division of the cell contents) takes place

In cytokinesis, the cytoplasm of the cell is split in two, making two new cells. Cytokinesis
usually begins just as mitosis is ending, with a little overlap. Importantly, cytokinesis takes place
differently in animal and plant cells.

Source:

https://www.britannica.com/science/cell-cycle
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/cellular-molecular-biology/mitosis/a/cell-cycle-
phases?
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