The Cell Cycle

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What is the cell cycle?

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The cell cycle is the series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and duplication (replication). It consists of phases: interphase (G1, S, G2) and mitotic phase (mitosis and cytokinesis).

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What occurs during prophase of mitosis?

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

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What is mitosis?

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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.

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What happens during metaphase of mitosis?

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During metaphase, chromosomes line up along the equatorial plane of the cell, and spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of each chromosome.

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What is cytokinesis?

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Cytokinesis is the process that follows mitosis, where the cytoplasm of a parental cell divides into two daughter cells.

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What is the result of mitosis?

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Mitosis results in the formation of two identical daughter cells, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the original cell.

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What are the phases of interphase?

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Interphase consists of three phases: G1 (cell growth), S (DNA synthesis), and G2 (preparation for mitosis).

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What is the role of spindle fibers during mitosis?

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Spindle fibers help separate the chromosomes during mitosis by attaching to the centromeres and pulling them apart to opposite poles of the cell.

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What is the difference between mitosis and cytokinesis?

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Mitosis is the division of the nucleus, while cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm, resulting in two separate cells.

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What is the significance of the G1 phase?

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The G1 phase is crucial for cell growth and preparation for DNA replication, where the cell increases in size and synthesizes proteins.