Eukaryotic Cell Cycle

Cell Cycle

Life cycle of the cell

Cell division

Process by which a single cell produces 2 daughter cells

Binary fission

Process by which Prokaryotic cells produce daughter cells

Mitotic Cell Division

Process by which eukaryotic cells divide

G1

Phase of cell cycle in which the cell increases in size and prepares for S phase

S (synthesis)

Phase of the cell cycle in which DNA is replicated

G2

Phase of the cell cycle in which the cell makes final preparations for cell division

M

Phase of the cell cycle in which one cell is divided into 2 during mitosis; this phase also includes cytokinesis

G0

Phase of the cell cycle in which the the cell is in “time-out”. Maintenance of the current cell structure and function takes place.

G1, S, G2

What three phases make up interphase?

Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase

4 main stages of mitosis

Prophase

Stage of mitosis in which DNA condenses, chromosomes become visible, nuclear envelope disappears and the spindle poles are established.

Metaphase

Stage of mitosis in which chromosomes line up along the middle of the cell. All chromosomes are attached to spindle fibers from both poles.

Anaphase

Stage of mitosis in which centromeres are split into 2 parts, sister chromatids become separate chromosomes as they are pulled apart to opposite poles by spindle fibers.

Telophase

New nuclear envelopes form around the 2 separate groups of chromosomes. Spindle disappears and microtubules reassemble in interphase formation. Chromosomes decondense and disappear.

Cytokinesis

Part of M phase of cell cycle in which the cell finishes division by fully dividing into 2 separate daughter cells using a cell plate (plants) or cleavage furrow (animals)

Checkpoint

Quality control of cell cycle

G1 Checkpoint, G2 Checkpoint, M checkpoint

What are the 3 checkpoints in the cell cycle?

G1 checkpoint

Checkpoint that ensures DNA health and integrity of a cell

G2 Checkpoint

Checkpoint that ensures correct DNA replication, that there are exactly 2 complete copies of each DNA molecule.

M Checkpoint

Checkpoint that ensures that every chromosome is attached to both spindle poles.