Cell Cycle and Mitosis

Front

What is the cell cycle?

Back

The cell cycle is the series of phases that a cell goes through to divide and produce two daughter cells. It includes interphase (G1, S, G2) and the mitotic phase (M).

Front

What are the main stages of the cell cycle?

Back

The main stages of the cell cycle are Interphase (G1, S, G2) and the Mitotic phase (M), which includes mitosis and cytokinesis.

Front

What occurs during interphase?

Back

During interphase, the cell grows, duplicates its DNA, and prepares for mitosis. It consists of G1 (growth), S (DNA synthesis), and G2 (preparation for mitosis).

Front

What is mitosis?

Back

Mitosis is the process of nuclear division in eukaryotic cells that results in two identical daughter nuclei, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Front

What are the phases of mitosis?

Back

The phases of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Front

What happens during prophase?

Back

During prophase, chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the mitotic spindle begins to form.

Front

What is the role of the centromere?

Back

The centromere is the region of a chromosome where sister chromatids are joined together and where the spindle fibers attach during mitosis.

Front

What occurs during metaphase?

Back

During metaphase, chromosomes align at the cell's equatorial plane, and spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes.

Front

What happens during anaphase?

Back

During anaphase, sister chromatids are pulled apart toward opposite poles of the cell as the spindle fibers shorten.

Front

What is telophase?

Back

Telophase is the final stage of mitosis where the chromosomes de-condense, the nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes, and the cell prepares to divide.