The Cell Cycle, Mitosis, and Cancer

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 mitotic phase (mitosis and cytokinesis).

Front

What are the main phases of mitosis?

Back

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

Front

What occurs during prophase?

Back

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

Front

What happens 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 is anaphase?

Back

Anaphase is the stage of mitosis where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell.

Front

What occurs during telophase?

Back

During telophase, chromosomes de-condense back into chromatin, the nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes, and the cell prepares to divide.

Front

What is cytokinesis?

Back

Cytokinesis is the process that follows mitosis, where the cytoplasm divides, resulting in two daughter cells.

Front

What is the role of the mitochondria in the cell?

Back

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, where aerobic respiration occurs to produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell.

Front

What is the G1 phase?

Back

The G1 phase is the first stage of interphase where the cell grows and synthesizes proteins necessary for DNA replication.

Front

What is the S phase?

Back

The S phase is the stage of interphase where DNA is replicated, resulting in two copies of each chromosome.