GENERAL BIOLOGY: CELL CYCLE

Cell Cycle
• series of events that occur in a cell to prepare cell division and to produce two new
daughter cells
Phases of the Cell Cycle
1. Interphase
▪ longest stage of the cell cycle
▪ known as the resting phase
Three Sub-Stages
I.
G1 Phase (Gap1 phase/Growth 1 Phase)
- the cell increases its size and grows
- protein synthesis occurs
II. S-Phase (Synthesis Phase)
- longest and most essential stage of interphase due to the complexity of
the replication of the genetic material which results to the duplication of
DNA prior to cell division
III. G2 Phase (Gap2 phase/Growth 2 Phase)
- final stage where the cell prepares itself for cell division
- ensures that the DNA replication completes
2. M-Phase (Mitotic Phase)
Cell Cycle Checkpoints
• verifies whether all the cellular activities are accurately completed at each stage of
interphase
Three Major Checkpoints that Control the Cell Cycle in Eukaryotic Cells
1. G1 Checkpoint (at G1/S Transition) checks:
A. Cell’s size
B. Nutrients
C. DNA integrity
D. Molecular signals
If the cell does not comply with the following factors, cell cycle will stop and enter the G0 phase known as
the resting state. This is where cells that permanently or rarely divide spend most of their time.

2. G2 Checkpoint (at G2/M Transition) checks:

A. DNA integrity
B. DNA replication
If there is an error, the cell will pause at the G2 phase and allow for some repairs. If the damaged cell is
irreparable, the cell will undergo apoptosis or cell death.
Apoptosis is the self-destruction mechanism of the cell to ensure that the damaged DNA is not passed on the
daughter cells and to prevent cancer.

3. Metaphase Checkpoint or Spindle Checkpoint (transition from metaphase and

anaphase)
▪ occurs at metaphase stage of mitosis
▪ regulated by Anaphase-Promoting Complex (APC)
▪ checks whether all chromosomes are properly attached to the spindle fibers and its
alignment at the metaphase plate
▪ cell delays the anaphase process if there are mistakes
▪ ensures that sister chromatids are positioned to be split correctly
Cancer
• the result of the unregulated process of the cell cycle due to the breakdown of the
mechanisms that controls the entire process
• The irregularity happens during the synthesis phase wherein the cell cannot determine
the changes in the DNA sequence that code for the specific regulatory molecules.
Oncogenes
• genes that cause the cell to become cancerous
Proto-oncogenes
• genes that code for positive regulators during cell cycle
• can be an oncogene leading to cancer cells formation if these normal genes are altered by
mutation
Tumor Suppressor Genes
• are healthy normal genes that slow down cell division, helps repair DNA mistakes and
also apoptosis or cell death
• codes for the negative regulator protein, when activated can prevent the cell from
uncontrolled division
• If does not work properly, cell division will be out of control and it can also lead to
cancer

Cell Cycle Phases

Cell Cycle Checkpoints