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 grow and divide, including interphase (G1, S, G2) and mitosis (M).

Front

What happens during interphase?

Back

During interphase, the cell grows, duplicates its DNA, and prepares for division.

Front

What is mitosis?

Back

Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells, involving stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Front

What occurs during prophase?

Back

During prophase, chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear membrane breaks down, and spindle fibers begin to form.

Front

What is the significance of metaphase?

Back

In metaphase, chromosomes line up at the cell's equator, ensuring that each daughter cell will receive an exact copy of the DNA.

Front

What happens during anaphase?

Back

During anaphase, sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell by the spindle fibers.

Front

What occurs during telophase?

Back

During telophase, the chromosomes reach the poles, begin to de-condense back into chromatin, and the nuclear membrane re-forms around each set of chromosomes.

Front

What is cytokinesis?

Back

Cytokinesis is the final step of cell division, where the cytoplasm divides, resulting in two separate daughter cells.

Front

What is chromatin?

Back

Chromatin is the relaxed form of DNA found in the nucleus during interphase, which condenses to form chromosomes during mitosis.

Front

What are spindle fibers?

Back

Spindle fibers are structures that help separate chromosomes during mitosis by attaching to the centromeres of chromosomes.